Research Accomplishment Reports 2009

Mosquitoes, Disease & Public Health

S.L. Dobson
Department of Entomology

 

Non-Technical Summary

The project seeks to build an interactive and interdependent network of scientific expertise to deal with new mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. The project will affect all U.S. residents by understanding, assessing, and mitigating the threat poised by mosquitoes of public health importance. Further, we anticipate enhanced ability to detect and predict outbreaks of vectors and associated diseases. The project further provides for and encourages environmentally sound, scientifically based, and professional control by mosquito control agencies.

2009 Project Description

Strengthen basic and applied research on the mosquito, pathogen, hosts, and environmental factors that influence mosquito-borne disease emergence. Use knowledge of mosquito, pathogen, vertebrate reservoir, and environment interactions to enhance ability to predict and prevent conditions leading to disease.

Develop new strategies to control mosquito disease vectors.

Conduct surveillance for mosquitoes and mosquito-borne arboviruses.

Develop and maintain the national scientific expertise to respond to future health threats by supporting training programs.

2009 Impact

Aedes albopictus strains artificially infected with maternally-inherited Wolbachia bacteria will be characterized and examined as a potential biological control tool. Experiments will be both in the laboratory and large cages constructed within greenhouse facilities at the University of Kentucky.