Learn how insecticide resistance impacts infection prevention and control

On this three-week course, you’ll examine the rise of insecticide resistant mosquitoes and the resultant need for a new approach in the world’s fight against malaria. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/the-resistant-mosquito-staying-ahead-of-the-game-in-the-fight-against-malaria

Global, regional, and national dengue burden from 1990 to 2017

The global burden of dengue is high, but poorly quantified and likely under-reported. Almost three million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were lost to dengue in 2017: an over 100% increase since 1990 Using the methods of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors study, Zeng et al. characterized the dengue burden in 195 countries… Continue reading Global, regional, and national dengue burden from 1990 to 2017

Is the “insect apocalypse” happening?

Much has been said about the reduction of insect populations. The lack of insects on a windshield or flying around artificial light at night leaves many to believe that the “insect apocalypse” is happening. If so, a significant reduction of pollinators could spell disaster. A look at insects may have been evolving to avoid artificial… Continue reading Is the “insect apocalypse” happening?

Realtime Tracking and Forecasting of Outbreak Risk of Dengue, Zika and other Aedes-transmitted Diseases

AeDeS: a next‐generation monitoring and forecasting system for environmental suitability of Aedes‐borne disease transmission,

New malaria vector could bring malaria back to Africa

Scientists say an invasive mosquito species was likely responsible for a large outbreak of malaria in Ethiopia earlier this year By MARIA CHENG AP Scientists say an invasive mosquito species was likely responsible for a large malaria outbreak in Ethiopia earlier this year, a finding that experts called a worrying sign that progress against the disease is… Continue reading New malaria vector could bring malaria back to Africa

About the Mosquito

Here’s a short video loaded with information about mosquitoes. The language is a bit off, but the information presented is very good.

A fascinating look at insect flight

Flying is a complicated event that can be translated as physics in motion. And it gets exponentially more complicated for tiny insects. A fascinating look at how one particular group of insects manages to take flight is provided in: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00144-0

Multi-insecticide resistant malaria vectors in the field remain susceptible to malathion, despite the presence of Ace1 point mutations

Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes threatens the success of malaria vector control. Identifying the underlying mechanisms enables optimization of strategies. The molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance in three mosquito field populations from southern Côte d’Ivoire was investigated. https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1009963

Benin, Uganda and Rwanda eliminate human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), otherwise known as sleeping sickness, is a life-threatening disease that afflicts poor rural populations. Carried by tsetse flies, the disease has long been a curse for communities in West, Central and East Africa, where two different variants of the disease were rife. Now, countries and communities are fighting back with vigour… Continue reading Benin, Uganda and Rwanda eliminate human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem

With malaria one of the biggest killers of children under 5, the world’s first vaccine against a parasite is a major breakthrough for child health

UNICEF has awarded a contract for the first ever supply of a malaria vaccine to GSK with a value of up to USD 170 million[1]. The landmark award will lead to 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) being available over the next three years, potentially saving thousands of lives every year. Details at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/millions-more-children-benefit-malaria-vaccine-unicef-secures-supply