Vectors
Describe the transmission cycle of WNV
Infected bird -> mosquito -> human
How does rising temperatures increase mosquito-borne transmission?
More people outside, optimal transmission environment, longer transmission windows, expand vector geographic ranges from only tropical regions to non-endemic
local Tanzanian word meaning “that which bends up”, referring to characteristic symptom of severe joint pain
Which region and among which populations are VBDs most commonly found?
tropical/subtropical regions, low-income populations with minimal resources
Explain the concept of One Health
interdisciplinary framework that recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are interdependent
Name a VBD that is caused by a parasitic vector and specify the actual vector
Malaria, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas, etc (Anopheles mosquito, Aedes mosquito, triatome bugs)
How does increased rainfall and longer rainy seasons affect mosquito transmission?
Increased standing water for breeding grounds, increased humidity, optimal breeding environment
Name one VBD that is treatable with medication and not just symptom management
Malaria, Lyme
Name a reemerging VBD
WNF, dengue, Zika, drug-resistant malaria, etc
What is integrated surveillance?
surveillance strategy that integrates human clinical data, veterinary reports, and environmental monitoring into a shared system
Give an example of how an arbovirus can lead to neuroinvasive disease
20% of WNV cases can lead to WNF and West Nile encephalitis, meningitis, West Nile poliomyelitis
Why is it concerning that the has been new VBD case emergence and reemergence in localized geographic areas?
autochthonous transmission among susceptible populations w/o immunity
Name one VBD that can have lifelong, chronic impacts if left untreated/misdiagnosed
Chikungunya, WNV, Lyme
Name an existing VBD surveillance network
Arbonet, MalariaGen, CHIKVdb
Name an emerging zoonotic disease (Hint: Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, recently died from this)
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Which malaria-causing parasitic species is the deadliest of the five?
Plasmodium falciparum
How does deforestation and urbanization lead to increased transmission?
Ecological disturbances alter transmission dynamics and increased human-vector contact/spillovers, urbanization creates denser human populations and suitable vector habitats
Name the VBD that has more recently been associated with a severe, autoimmune disorder that can lead to paralysis
Zika -> Guillain-Barré syndrome
Why is genomic surveillance important?
Allows for the monitoring and analyzing of the genetic makeup of pathogens to track their evolution, understand transmission patterns, and detect new variants as pathogens undergo mutations, predict outbreaks rather than simply react to them
Describe the difference between vector-borne disease and zoonotic disease with an example of each
Vector-borne: human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors (ex: malaria)
Zoonotic: an infectious disease that has jumped from a non-human animal to humans (ex: SARS-CoV2)
Describe the transmission cycle of the plague
rodent -> flea -> human
Urban heat islands can intensify transmission risk by raising local temperatures relative to surrounding rural areas as more rural regions experience drought/low crop yields and move towards urban areas
Name the innovative IVM method aimed to reduce mosquito vector populations
Release Gambusia fish to consume mosquito larvae
Explain how you would incorporate active surveillance methods among a community in a sub-tropical region experiencing high fever and uncharacteristic joint pain during their annual rainy season (~15 cases)
Reach out to local clinics and villages to see if there are more cases with similar symptoms, what IVM prevention methods are in use, what types of mosquitoes are prevalent in the area, mosquito trapping, etc
Explain WNV transmission cycle from One Health perspective
birds -> mosquitoes -> humans/horses, affected by bird migration patterns, rising temperatures and increased rainfall affect mosquito lifespan