Vector-borne Diseases -- Understanding the Environmental, Human Health, and Ecological Connections

Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, plague, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis have been major causes of morbidity and mortality throughout human history, accounting for more human disease and death in the 17th through early 20th centuries than all other causes combined.  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 as well as the global emergence, reemergence, and spread of new vector-borne diseases. 

In addition to the threats to human health, new and emerging plant and animal vector-borne diseases have also greatly impacted regional ecologies and economies.  Bluetongue, a virus transmitted to ruminants by insect vectors, costs the United States cattle and sheep industry an estimated $125 million annually in lost trade and testing for the virus.  Citrus tristeza virus, spread to plants by aphids, has killed tens of millions of citrus trees in outbreaks worldwide and is currently threatening an estimated $912 million in oranges crops in Central California. 

Because of their increasing economic and public health importance, coupled with their exceptional ability to cause epidemics, vector-borne diseases will continue to present significant threats to human, animal, and plant health in the future.  Domestic and international capabilities to detect, identify, and address these diseases are limited for a variety of reasons.  To discuss these and related issues, the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats will host a 2-day public workshop on June 19-20, 2007, entitled "Vector-borne Diseases -- Understanding the Environmental, Human Health, and Ecological Connections." 

The workshop will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Ft. Collins, Colorado.  This workshop is free and open to the public; however, due to the meeting facility limitations, advance registration is required.