Vector-Borne Diseases: Understanding the Environmental, Human Health, and Ecological Connections, Workshop Summary

Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, plague, trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis have been major causes of orbidity and mortality throughout human history. During the early to mid-20th century, the vectors for yellow fever, malaria, onchocerciasis, and other diseases were effectively controlled through a variety of intervention, prevention, and control strategies. However, over the past 20 to 30 years, there has been an enormous resurgence of previously "contained" vector-borne infectious diseases for a variety of reasons
as well as the global emergence, reemergence, and spread of new vector-borne diseases. In addition to these threats to human health, new and emerging plant and animal vector-borne diseases have also greatly impacted regional ecologies and economies. Bluetongue virus, a disease agent transmitted to ruminants by insect vectors, costs the U.S. cattle and sheep industry an estimated $125 million annually in lost trade and in diagnostic testing. Citrus tristeza virus, spread to plants by aphids, has killed tens of millions of citrus trees in outbreaks orldwide and is currently threatening the orange crop in central California with an estimated $912 million in revenues at stake. To consider the importance of vector-borne diseases in terms of their human health, ecological, and environmental implications, the Institute of edicine's
Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop in Ft. Collins, Colorado, on June 19 and 20, 2007. Through invited presentations and discussions, participants examined factors associated with the emergence of vector-borne diseases, current domestic and international detection and control capabilities, and assessed the resource needs and opportunities for improving and coordinating surveillance, diagnosis, and response to vector-borne disease outbreaks.