Snail-borne disease in changing landscapes
Disease dynamics of complex life cy cle parasites are especially sensitive to environmental conditions du e to the physiological requirements of the multiple host species they infect. Yet, trematode parasites are transmitted globally in localit ies with extreme seasonal variation in rainfall or temperature. Trans mission is only possible because of the impressive dormancy capacitie s of their intermediate hosts, aquatic snails. This lecture will prim arily focus on the impact of seasonality on the transmission of the n eglected tropical disease, schistosomiasis, in Tanzanian farming habi tats. I will discuss how ephemerality impacts disease risk for humans and the potential to harness this ecology for intervention of this d isease. Snails also transmit trematode disease to livestock globally, such as fascioliasis, causing large economic losses and livelihood c hallenges to farmers. In both Tanzania and the Netherlands, anthropog enic influences like nutrient pollution and heavy metal pollution can exacerbate transmission risk. Understanding and mitigating these com plex disease dynamics requires a one health approach, focusing on env ironment, animal, and human health.
DESCRIPTION: Snail-borne disease in changing landscapes Disease dynami cs of complex life cycle parasites are especially sensitive to enviro nmental conditions due to the physiological requirements of the multi ple host species they infect. Yet, trematode parasites are transmitte d globally in localities with extreme seasonal variation in rainfall or temperature. Transmission is only possible because of the impressi ve dormancy capacities of their intermediate hosts, aquatic snails. T his lecture will primarily focus on the impact of seasonality on the transmission of the neglected tropical disease, schistosomiasis, in T anzanian farming habitats. I will discuss how ephemerality impacts di sease risk for humans and the potential to harness this ecology for i ntervention of this disease. Snails also transmit trematode disease t o livestock globally, such as fascioliasis, causing large economic lo sses and livelihood challenges to farmers. In both Tanzania and the N etherlands, anthropogenic influences like nutrient pollution and heav y metal pollution can exacerbate transmission risk. Understanding and mitigating these complex disease dynamics requires a one health appr oach, focusing on environment, animal, and human health. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR