Snail-borne disease in changing landscapes
Disease dynamics of complex life cycle par asites are especially sensitive to environmental conditions due to th e physiological requirements of the multiple host species they infect . Yet, trematode parasites are transmitted globally in localities wit h extreme seasonal variation in rainfall or temperature. Transmission is only possible because of the impressive dormancy capacities of th eir intermediate hosts, aquatic snails. This lecture will primarily f ocus on the impact of seasonality on the transmission of the neglecte d tropical disease, schistosomiasis, in Tanzanian farming habitats. I will discuss how ephemerality impacts disease risk for humans and th e potential to harness this ecology for intervention of this disease. Snails also transmit trematode disease to livestock globally, such a s fascioliasis, causing large economic losses and livelihood challeng es to farmers. In both Tanzania and the Netherlands, anthropogenic in fluences like nutrient pollution and heavy metal pollution can exacer bate transmission risk. Understanding and mitigating these complex di sease dynamics requires a one health approach, focusing on environmen t, animal, and human health.
DESCRIPTION: Disease dynamics of complex life cycle parasites are espe cially sensitive to environmental conditions due to the physiological requirements of the multiple host species they infect. Yet, trematod e parasites are transmitted globally in localities with extreme seaso nal variation in rainfall or temperature. Transmission is only possib le because of the impressive dormancy capacities of their intermediat e hosts, aquatic snails. This lecture will primarily focus on the imp act of seasonality on the transmission of the neglected tropical dise ase, schistosomiasis, in Tanzanian farming habitats. I will discuss h ow ephemerality impacts disease risk for humans and the potential to harness this ecology for intervention of this disease. Snails also tr ansmit trematode disease to livestock globally, such as fascioliasis, causing large economic losses and livelihood challenges to farmers. In both Tanzania and the Netherlands, anthropogenic influences like n utrient pollution and heavy metal pollution can exacerbate transmissi on risk. Understanding and mitigating these complex disease dynamics requires a one health approach, focusing on environment, animal, and human health. Snail-borne disease in changing landscapes END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR