Effective management programs for vector-borne pathogens, such as West Nile Virus and the Lyme disease spirochete, are necessary to protect public health. However, some vector control methods, such as landscape manipulations and pesticide applications, can also adversely affect nontarget species and environmentally sensitive natural systems. Efficient targeting and integration of vector control methods allows cost efficient disease prevention, while minimizing adverse environmental effects from broad scale, poorly targeted interventions. The purpose of this project is to develop well targeted, efficiently integrated, and environmentally benign approaches to management of vector-borne pathogens. The project includes theoretical advances as well as application to actual vector-borne disease management programs. We are also studying the influences of environmental conditions on pathogen transmission patterns that lead to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as Dengue fever and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This research will help improve outbreak prediction and management of these diseases.
The Challenge: Vector-borne pathogens present increasing challenges to public health in North America. Many new control technologies have been and are being developed, but relatively little attention has been paid to developing methods of decision-making in management programs that can protect public health while minimizing any adverse effects on natural environments. Efficient management programs can apply available resources so as to minimize the number of human cases, while minimizing negative environmental effects by careful targeting and integrating management methods.
The Science: We are developing accurate measures of risk of human exposure to vector-borne pathogens, and exploring implications for efficient integration of control methods. A team of scientists and practitioners with broad expertise has assessed possible effects of vector control methods on nontarget organisms (such as pollinators). Methods to efficiently target and integrate management interventions are being developed and applied to an actual vector control program that involves a national park site and nearby communities.
The Future: Theoretical advances in targeting and intervention of vector management methods are being applied to mosquito and West Nile Virus management at Fire Island National Seashore, associated communities on Fire Island, and nearby sites in Suffolk County, NY. The purpose is to develop vector management programs that protect public health, while also avoiding damage to natural communities.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Biological control of Aedes mosquito larvae with carnivorous aquatic plant, Utricularia macrorhiza
Prioritizing water security in the management of vector borne diseases: Lessons from Oaxaca, Mexico
Nonlinearities in transmission dynamics and efficient management of vector-borne pathogens
Management of arthropod pathogen vectors in North America: Minimizing adverse effects on pollinators
Tick control: Trapping, bio-control, host management and other alternative strategies
Environmental management of mosquito-borne viruses in Rhode Island
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Effective management programs for vector-borne pathogens, such as West Nile Virus and the Lyme disease spirochete, are necessary to protect public health. However, some vector control methods, such as landscape manipulations and pesticide applications, can also adversely affect nontarget species and environmentally sensitive natural systems. Efficient targeting and integration of vector control methods allows cost efficient disease prevention, while minimizing adverse environmental effects from broad scale, poorly targeted interventions. The purpose of this project is to develop well targeted, efficiently integrated, and environmentally benign approaches to management of vector-borne pathogens. The project includes theoretical advances as well as application to actual vector-borne disease management programs. We are also studying the influences of environmental conditions on pathogen transmission patterns that lead to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as Dengue fever and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This research will help improve outbreak prediction and management of these diseases.
The Challenge: Vector-borne pathogens present increasing challenges to public health in North America. Many new control technologies have been and are being developed, but relatively little attention has been paid to developing methods of decision-making in management programs that can protect public health while minimizing any adverse effects on natural environments. Efficient management programs can apply available resources so as to minimize the number of human cases, while minimizing negative environmental effects by careful targeting and integrating management methods.
The Science: We are developing accurate measures of risk of human exposure to vector-borne pathogens, and exploring implications for efficient integration of control methods. A team of scientists and practitioners with broad expertise has assessed possible effects of vector control methods on nontarget organisms (such as pollinators). Methods to efficiently target and integrate management interventions are being developed and applied to an actual vector control program that involves a national park site and nearby communities.
The Future: Theoretical advances in targeting and intervention of vector management methods are being applied to mosquito and West Nile Virus management at Fire Island National Seashore, associated communities on Fire Island, and nearby sites in Suffolk County, NY. The purpose is to develop vector management programs that protect public health, while also avoiding damage to natural communities.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Biological control of Aedes mosquito larvae with carnivorous aquatic plant, Utricularia macrorhiza
BackgroundBiological controls with predators of larval mosquito vectors have historically focused almost exclusively on insectivorous animals, with few studies examining predatory plants as potential larvacidal agents. In this study, we experimentally evaluate a generalist plant predator of North America, Utricularia macrorhiza, the common bladderwort, and evaluate its larvacidal efficiency for thAuthorsJannelle Couret, Marco Notarangelo, Sarashwathi Veera, Noah LeClaire-Conway, Howard S. Ginsberg, Roger A. LeBrunPrioritizing water security in the management of vector borne diseases: Lessons from Oaxaca, Mexico
Changes in human water use, along with temperature and rainfall patterns, are facilitating habitat spread and distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the primary vectors for the transmission of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses in the Americas. Artificial containers and wetspots provide major sources of mosquito larval habitat in residential areas. Mosquito abatement andAuthorsAli S Akanda, Kristine D. Johnson, Howard S. Ginsberg, Janelle CouretNonlinearities in transmission dynamics and efficient management of vector-borne pathogens
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to minimizing economic and environmental harm caused by pests, and Integrated Vector Management (IVM) uses similar methods to minimize pathogen transmission by vectors. The risk of acquiring a vector-borne infection is often quantified using the density of infected vectors. The relationship between vector numbers and risk of human infection is moreAuthorsHoward S. Ginsberg, Jannelle CouretManagement of arthropod pathogen vectors in North America: Minimizing adverse effects on pollinators
Tick and mosquito management is important to public health protection. At the same time, growing concerns about declines of pollinator species raise the question of whether vector control practices might affect pollinator populations. We report the results of a task force of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) that examined potential effects of vector management practices onAuthorsHoward S. Ginsberg, Timothy A. Bargar, Michelle L. Hladik, Charles LubelczykTick control: Trapping, bio-control, host management and other alternative strategies
Biology of Ticks is the most comprehensive work on tick biology and tick-borne diseases. This second edition is a multi-authored work, featuring the research and analyses of renowned experts across the globe. Spanning two volumes, the book examines the systematics, biology, structure, ecological adaptations, evolution, genomics and the molecular processes that underpin the growth, development andAuthorsHoward S. GinsbergEnvironmental management of mosquito-borne viruses in Rhode Island
West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) are both primarily bird viruses, which can be transmitted by several mosquito species. Differences in larval habitats, flight, and biting patterns of the primary vector species result in substantial differences in epidemiology, with WNV more common, primarily occurring in urban areas, and EEEV relatively rare, typically occurring nAuthorsHoward S. Ginsberg, Alan Gettman, Elisabeth Becker, Ananda S. Bandyopadhyay, Roger A. LeBrun - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.