ENY 6206 Ecology of Vector-Borne Disease
Description
Vector-borne pathogens affect humans, wildlife and agriculture more than any other group of infectious disease. Researchers, policy makers and public health workers need a firm understanding of the ecology of vector-borne pathogens to effectively predict and interrupt epidemics. This course begins with an introduction to the components inherent to vector-borne disease systems and the basic concepts of disease ecology.
The course then focuses on various pathogens and how aspects of the environment, host and vector biology influence pathogen transmission. Some of the questions that we will address include: Why do epidemics occur where and when they do? Why are some pathogens, such as dengue, re-emerging? Why do most vector-borne pathogens have limited geographic ranges?
Prerequisites
- General Biology
Course Format
Location: Online
Course Goals
- Understand the distinctions between ecology of vector-borne and directly transmitted pathogens.
- Have a working understanding of concepts of epidemiological models.
- Understand the factors that limit, initiate, maintain and spread the transmission of vector-borne pathogens.
- Gain knowledge about varied pathogens transmitted by diverse vector groups.
- Graduate students will review, understand and synthesize scientific literature pertinent to the ecology of vector-borne diseases including emergent pathogens, climate change, host selection and biological diversity.
Topics
| Week | Topic |
| Week 1 | Introduction:What is a vector? What is a parasite? What is a pathogen? |
| Week 2 | Arthropod vectors: Biology of Insects and mites |
| Week 3 | Non-arthropod-vectors: Biology of vertebrates |
| Week 4 | Ecology;Pathogen environmental adaptation(guest lecture) |
| Week 5 | Zoonoses and Anthroponoses |
| Week 6 | SIR Models(with guest lecture) |
| Week 7 | Exam 1(Oct. 2); Rabies, hanta virus and Ebola |
| Week 8 | Dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya |
| Week 9 | Bluetongue virus (guest lecture) and eastern equine encephalitis virus |
| Week 10 | West Nile virus |
| Week 11 | Plague and tularemia |
| Week 12 | Huanglongbing/ citrus greening (guest lecture) |
| Week 13 | Lyme disease |
| Week 14 | Chagas Disease (Thanksgiving week) |
| Week 15 | Malaria &river blindness; Review article due (ENY 6206 only) |
| Week 16 | Exam 2(Dec.4) |
