Prevention of Vector-Borne Diseases and Public Health: What Are the Sustainable Solutions?
Abstract
Globalization, international trade, climate change, population growth, and rapid urbanization are driving the increasing number of invasive alien species and new interactions between organisms, which in turn lead to the emergence of new pathogens. Due to their mode of transmission, vector-borne diseases are particularly sensitive to changes in climate, the environment, landscape, biodiversity, or contact between hosts and vectors; they are therefore among the primary sources of risk for emerging diseases and infectious outbreaks. According to WHO data, mosquito-borne vector-borne diseases account for 17% of infectious diseases. The spread of the tiger mosquito,Aedes albopictus,from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia to temperate zones—including the southern part of the European Union—has profoundly altered the risk and perception of vector-borne diseases in Europe. It serves as a wake-up call regarding the risks of these new diseases emerging.
What are the solutions for protecting against mosquito-borne diseases? Biological insecticides, transgenic mosquitoes, and the use of bio-inspired natural repellents. All of these recent protective methods will be discussed.
This lecture will be followed by a seminar by Dr. Serge Morand, Research Director at the CNRS and Director of HealthDEEP. His seminar will focus on the topic: “Biodiversity and Vector-Borne Diseases”