Vectors, environment and society research

Vector-borne diseases, whose agents (parasites, viruses etc) are transmitted by insect vectors such as mosquitoes, flies and triatomine bugs, occur in more than 100 countries worldwide and affect about half of the world’s population. Social and environmental factors (including climate change) are key aspects affecting both the transmission and control of such diseases. This area of TDR research covers malaria, dengue, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Chagas disease. It supports a wide spectrum of research from basic research on genomics and genetic modification of vectors to implementation research for the delivery and scale-up of control efforts, and includes engaging different types of communities in this work.

Specific objectives

1. Promote and facilitate the development and evaluation of new and improved integrated vector control methods and strategies for the prevention of Chagas disease, dengue, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and malaria.

2. Design and implement community-based ecosystem management and environmentally-friendly vector control interventions for the prevention of dengue and Chagas disease.

3. Undertake interdisciplinary research towards the understanding, prevention and mitigation of the impact of environmental and climate changes on vectors and vector-borne diseases.

4. Enhance access to control interventions through community engagement in improved and sustained delivery and scale up of the interventions for the prevention of major vector-borne diseases and other poverty related diseases.

Latest publications

• Community case management of malaria in urban settings
• Implementation research for the control of infectious diseases of poverty