Focus on: Disease vectors & Entomology

Overexposing mosquitoes to insecticides under global warming: a public health concern? The combined effect of global warming and insecticide exposure on the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is poorly studied. In our opinion, more resources should be diverted to this topic to further research efforts and deal with this increasing threat. It is particularly important to determine how...

Challenges to mitigating the urban health burden of mosquito-borne diseases in the face of climate change. Cities worldwide are facing ever-increasing pressure to develop mitigation strategies for all sectors to deal with the impacts of climate change. Cities are expected to house 70% of the world's population by 2050, and developing related resilient health systems is a significant challenge. Because...

Possible effects of climate change on ixodid ticks and the pathogens they transmit: predictions and observations. The global climate has been changing over the last century due to greenhouse gas emissions and will continue to change over this century, accelerating without effective global efforts to reduce emissions. Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are inherently climate-sensitive due to the sensitivity...

Emerging viruses in marine mammals. Emerging infectious disease has become a serious concern that has consequences for human, animal and environmental health on a global scale. During the past two decades, it has become clear that viruses are emerging in terrestrial environments from the human-animal interface at an unprecedented...

Invasive Pomacea snails: actual and potential environmental impacts and their underlying mechanisms. Apple snails are large freshwater snails belonging to the family Ampullariidae that inhabit tropical to temperate areas. The South American apple snails Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata have been introduced to other continents where they have successfully established and spread. Our review...

Vector-borne diseases in the Caribbean: history and current status. The Caribbean consists of island chains surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to neighbouring mainland countries. The tropical climate and its historic and continued influx of both humans and animals from throughout the world have contributed to the region's plethora...