Virology, Emerging Diseases & vaccines

Insect vector and virus epidemiology

Currently, molecular studies on replication, assembly, and host interactions of insect viruses have contributed enormously to molecular, cellular, organismal biology. The ease with which many insect viruses are propagated in cell cultures or live animals, the high yields virus particles or virus encoded macromolecules and the simplicity with which many insect viruses can be genetically manipulated represent just a few experimental advantages provided by these pathogens. Viral epidemiology is concerned with study of incidence and spread of viruses in population over time. Host, virus and environmental factors are monitored to determine the dynamics of viral infections, the ultimate goal of which is to devise intervention strategies.The spread of these viruses can be influenced by seasonal factors, such as temperature and rainfall, which affect mosquito populations and their ability to reproduce. In tick-borne viral diseases, ticks serve as vectors for viruses such as Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). These viruses are transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, which are often found in rural and forested areas. The epidemiology of tick-borne viruses is influenced by factors such as tick population dynamics, the presence of suitable animal hosts, and seasonal variations in tick activity. For example, TBEV is endemic in parts of Europe and Asia, with infected ticks transmitting the virus to humans through tick bites, leading to inflammation of the brain and other neurological complications.