Ecology and control of vector-borne diseases

Volume 1: Emerging pests and vector-borne diseases in Europe

This is a multi-authored book concerning the perceived threat and recorded increase of emerging pests and vector-borne diseases affecting man and animals in Europe. Historically, Europe suffered from numerous pests and vector-borne diseases, including yellow fever, malaria, plague and typhus. Introduction of hygienic measures, drugs and vector control caused the disappearance of many of these diseases from Europe. In the (sub)tropics, however, many of these diseases still thrive, causing serious health problems for humans and animals.Increased trade, leading to animal and human movement and climate change cause reason to assume that several of these diseases might become reestablished or allow 'new' diseases and pests to be introduced in Europe. The recent outbreaks of bluetongue virus in North-western Europe highlights this concern, requiring an effective surveillance systems for the early detection of pests and vector-borne diseases. In 24 chapters this book provides examples of the most likely pests and diseases affecting man and animals in Europe, with emphasis on ecological factors favouring these diseases and methods for prevention and intervention.The authors are recognized experts in specific fields. All chapters are peer reviewed.

Volume 2: Olfaction in vector-host interactions

This is a multi-authored book with a focus on the role of olfaction (the sense of smell) in the multitude of interactions between arthropods and their blood hosts. Most arthropods, like insects, do not depend on a vertebrate host for survival and reproduction. In contrast, the fitness of those that do, depends on how efficiently they can detect the presence of a host and actively locate it to obtain a blood meal. This is the domain of olfaction, which is perhaps the most important mode of signal exchange between hosts and blood-feeding arthropods that visit them. Important human and domestic animal diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, bluetongue and trypanosomiasis are transmitted between humans and/or domestic animals as a direct outcome of olfactory responses mediated by host odours. Increased understanding of olfaction and how this governs interactions between arthropods and blood hosts will enable the development of novel strategies to disrupt this behaviour.Many species of tsetse fly, for instance, respond over distance to simple blends of synthetic odours. Combined with traps or insecticide-treated targets, such odour-baited devices can effectively suppress fly populations and thus transmission of sleeping sickness. Such systems still need to be developed for disease-vectoring mosquitoes necessitating further knowledge on the chemical basis of interactions with humans. In 18 peer-reviewed chapters, recognized experts provide a state-of-the-art overview of olfaction in vector-host interactions, from the molecular to population biology level. Novel ideas, definition of research gaps, and a collection of the most recent studies will be of value to biology students, chemical ecologists, as well as those implementing vector control programmes.

Volume 3: Ecology of parasite-vector interactions

Vector-borne diseases continue to be one of the most important determinants affecting human and animal health. Large numbers of people suffer from diseases like malaria, dengue, filariasis and leishmaniasis, especially in the tropics. Whereas these diseases were eradicated from the temperate climate zones, in recent years the rising incidence of 'emerging' vector-borne diseases such as bluetongue, West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and the recent outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue in southern Europe provide evidence that these diseases are resilient and can disperse to other regions and continents where before they were not present or relevant.
Many tools for the management of vector-borne diseases are currently under pressure because of increasing drug and insecticide resistance, as well as the realization of biological variation of parasites and vectors and their ecosystems. At the same time, progress in our understanding of genetics, immunology, population biology and epidemiology allow for a better understanding of parasite-vector interactions. Here the state-of-the-art of these interactions is being reviewed, and means for using this information for advanced strategies of vector-borne disease control are proposed. This 3rd edition of ECVD aims to provide a rapid overview of recent developments in the field of parasite-vector interactions and how this can be used for more effective and sustainable disease control.