José Francisco Ruiz Fons and Zati Vatansever – Understanding vector-borne pathogen ecology to manage vector-borne disease transmission risks

Global changes are affecting the distribution and demographics of several haematophagus arthropods that are relevant reservoirs and transmitters of infectious diseases to animals and humans. Several vector-borne diseases are emerging and re-emerging in several areas of the world, causing unprecedented outbreaks and concern to ecosystem, animal and public health authorities and people. Understanding the ecology of vectors and pathogens through ecological and epidemiological studies requires the application of mathematical and statistical tools to properly understand the complex interaction network of interactions between environment, animals, pathogens and humans. The examples of West Nile fever virus and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever illustrate recent  approaches to understand the ecology of two emerging diseases in Europe.