Accession Number:

AD1036882

Title:

Characterization and Detection of Vector-borne Diseases in Endemic Transmission Areas

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda United States

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2016-01-18

Pagination or Media Count:

183.0

Abstract:

Vector-borne diseases contribute significantly to the global burden of infectious diseases and remain a major public health challenge worldwide. Detection and surveillance of the pathogen and vector are critical for the control of vector-borne diseases. Japanese encephalitis virus JEV and malaria cause a significant portion of disease and mortality due to vector-borne diseases globally. The research described in this dissertation aims to improve detection methods for both the vector and pathogens that facilitate JEV and malaria transmission in an effort to advance vector-borne disease control and potential elimination. First, we developed an ecological niche model to estimate the distribution of the JEV vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, based on environmental variables and known vector locations in endemic regions. We analyzed the overlap between Japanese encephalitis JE cases and predicted prevalence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus distribution as well as the prevalence of predicted vector habitat within rice fields. Our novel ecological niche model can be used to target regions for vector control strategies and vaccine campaigns in order to reduce JE disease burden within the human population.

Descriptors:

• infectious diseases
• public health
• malaria
• disease vectors
• disease outbreaks
• medical research
• theses

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE