Roadmap for Vector Transmission Control (VTC)

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

Decrease vector prevalence and consequently vector challenge of the host

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

• Targeting the specific vector without environmental impact on other arthropod populations
  Sterilization, predation, and reduction through vector pathogens
• Development of treatment regimens to decrease development of resistance to chemical controls
• Developing cost-effective products or methods to reduce vector challenge. Cost effectiveness is an important consideration when developing new tick control measures. Products that are too expensive or difficult to apply may not be practical for use in the field, particularly in developing countries where tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern.
• Effective tick control requires a long-term approach that takes into account changes in tick populations over time. Policy strategies should be developed that are sustainable and adaptable to changing conditions. For example, promote the use of integrated pest management strategies and encourage the development of new tick control technologies.
• Determine if species displacement is because they are more aggressive species and how does that change disease transmission.
• Maintenance of vector colonies for basic and applied research including supplying materials for genetic control and sterilization studies, and to study their competence for pathogen transmission.
• Artificial feeding systems are needed for the studies described here although transcriptomics between artificial and natural-fed vectors needs to be done also to validate the use of such a system.

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

In vivo trials involving:
a) Chemical controls;
b) Vector predation as a method of control;
c) Vector pathogens including viruses, bacteria and fungi as control methods
Maintenance of colonies of vector species and artificial feeding systems

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

Improved understanding of vector physiology
Validation of artificial feeding systems

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Washington State University has a program of artificial feeding of ticks