Epidemiological surveillance methods for vector-borne diseases

Abstract

SummaryCompared with many other diseases, the ever-increasing threat of vectorborne diseases (VBDs) represents a great challenge to public and animal health managers. Complex life cycles, changing distribution ranges, a variety of potential vectors and hosts, and the possible role of reservoirs make surveillance for VBDs a grave concern in a changing environment with increasing economic constraints. Surveillance activities may have various specific objectives and may focus on clinical disease, pathogens, vectors, hosts and/or reservoirs, but ultimately such activities should improve our ability to predict, prevent and/or control the diseases concerned. This paper briefly reviews existing and newly developed tools for the surveillance of VBDs. A range of examples, by no means exhaustive, illustrates that VBD surveillance usually involves a combination of methods to achieve its aims, and is best accomplished when these techniques are adapted to the specific environment and constraints of the region. More so than any other diseases, VBDs respect no administrative boundaries; in addition, animal, human and commodity movements are increasing dramatically, with illegal or unknown movements difficult to quantify. Vector-borne disease surveillance therefore becomes a serious issue for local and national organisations and is being conducted more and more at the regional and international level through multidisciplinary networks. With economic and logistical constraints, tools for optimising and evaluating the performance of surveillance systems are essential and examples of recent developments in this area are included. The continuous development of mapping, analytical and modelling tools provides us with an enhanced ability to interpret, visualise and communicate surveillance results. This review also demonstrates the importance of the link between surveillance and research, with interactions and benefits in both directions.

Establishing research priorities in prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in urban areas: a collaborative process

“…These are fundamental issues. Once again, recent international epidemics have highlighted the strengths and limitations of current surveillance systems [46] and the need for early detection of outbreaks [47]. An effective surveillance system should collect and analyze reliable data to produce relevant information for sharing with those who can promote new public health policies and implement prevention and control strategies [48].…”

Endemic and Emerging Arboviruses in Domestic Ruminants in East Asia

“…With the exception of BEFV, which has a higher incident rate in cattle (9), almost all of the arboviruses generally result in a low morbidity, asymptomatic/mild illnesses or no apparent acute phase in domestic ruminants, and thus they silently circulate in the endemic regions. Active surveillance such as sentinel and vector surveillance systems are therefore needed for the efficient detection of the arboviruses' circulation in the field prior to disease outbreaks (292). The recent increase in the number of emerging arboviruses in East Asia indicates that other undetected arboviruses may have circulated.…”

Ticks and Tick-Borne Infections: Complex Ecology, Agents, and Host Interactions

“…Public health responses to vector-borne diseases are enhanced by the integration of multidisciplinary teams engaged in the surveillance of vectors and vector-borne diseases, diagnosis, control response strategies, education, research, training of research and operational professionals, and community outreach [ 60 ]. Since ticks and tick-borne pathogens do not recognize international boundaries, any network addressing ticks and tick-borne infections must be part of a robust international disease monitoring network that provides timely evidence-based communications to public health officials, healthcare providers, other decision makers, stakeholders, and the public [ 61 , 62 ]. An integrated surveillance and response system that addresses all medically important vectors is most effective and results in significant cost savings over specific vector and related diseases approaches [ 63 ].…”

“…In addition to well established diseases, multiple emerging tick transmitted pathogens were described during the past two decades [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. The global scope of emerging tick-borne disease causing agents is impressive, including Babesia [ 79 , 80 , 81 ], rickettsioses [ 71 ], ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis [ 82 , 83 , 84 ], Borrelia [ 78 , …”