UofG to lead national surveillance program for mosquitos and their pathogens

The University of Glasgow (UofG) in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has been awarded a £1.25m grant aimed at improving the understanding of how climate change could increase the risk of mosquito-borne disease in Scotland, and to enhance preparedness.

The three-year program funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of a £7m research boost to fight vector-borne disease, will be the first of its kind to assess the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios. The program will have a specific focus on risks from zoonotic pathogens that could be introduced by migratory birds and brings together a multidisciplinary team encompassing expertise in mosquito ecology, vector surveillance, avian ecology, mosquito-transmitted pathogens, and ecological and epidemiological modeling.

Vector-borne diseases are a major threat to global animal and human health. Causing more than 700,000 deaths each year, they account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases. Mosquitoes and ticks, in particular, represent a growing threat due to the fact that they are both established and invasive to the UK. The increased risk can be attributed to a number of different factors, from changes in land use to a changing climate. These environmental changes influence the habitats, geographical distribution, longevity, and life cycles of vectors in ways that make disease transmission to people and animals more likely.

By working in partnership with UKHSA, the new UofG-led program will establish vital and comprehensive surveillance of mosquito vectors and their pathogens, extending UKHSA’s surveillance to Scotland, which is currently focused on England and Wales.

Through the project, researchers will be conducting surveillance of mosquitoes and screening migratory birds across Scotland for the presence of emerging zoonotic pathogens, including West Nile and Usutu Virus; and results will be used to model the risk of pathogen introduction and transmission.

Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), said: “This latest investment by UKRI and Defra epitomizes the importance of a ‘One Health’ approach in tackling infections such as vector-borne disease. If we are to truly understand the risks posed by vector-borne disease, we must first build our understanding of the links between animal, human and environmental health. And that can only be achieved by collaborating across sectors and disciplines. The eight projects receiving funding offer real potential to build the UK’s national defense and response capabilities by tackling infectious diseases that pose a genuine threat to people and animals worldwide.”

Want the latest science news straight to your inbox? Become a SelectScience member for free today>>