Roadmap for Vector Transmission Control (VTC)

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

Control of vector population through hygiene measures

What are the scientific and technological challenges (knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

• Environmental cost and benefits of this approach
• Influence of grassland management (species, rotation) on transmission
• Develop grass that resist ticks in Brazil
• Rotation of fields, change grass species, cut the grass, zero-grazing. Rotation impact on tick population – reduce height of grass, can expose larva to UV sunlight and reduce tick population that way (depending on life cycle of tick and grazing intervals – calculations)
• Production systems could be preferred by certain vector species
• Husbandry approach changes risk of exposure, zero grazing vs open field grazing
• Sustainable integrated management approach to controlling vectors that recognises production system used in that area/region
• Understanding what kind of solutions can be applied to the different production systems -need socio-economic approach
• Understand economic loss in productivity – to encourage uptake of control strategies/vaccines (WOAH looking at economic impact of various diseases) – consider if cheap for farmer but environmental loss for community – local/regional information
• Selective breeding for grasses that are good for tick controls (molasses grass – good for tick control but farmers don’t like to burn) – need to consider impact on natural grasslands farmers do not like it because it does not resist fire and tramping by cattle; it is invasive in South America.
• To reduce contact between livestock and tick populations there is a need to develop husbandry models that promote practices such as indoor housing, zero grazing, and pasture rotation to reduce tick exposure. These models should be tailored to the specific needs of different animal species and environments.

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

• Control of vector breeding sites – control of stagnant water (insects), dry vegetation (ticks)
• Control of hibernation sites
• Control/timing of grass cutting/habitat changes
• Rotational use of grazing land/fields – habitat grazing

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Improved understanding of vector ecology

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Making vector-borne disease surveillance work: new opportunities from the SDG perspectives (2019)