Ticking forward: bringing tick citizen science initiatives together
Ticks are one of the vectors studied as part of IDAlert’s objective to understand and respond to health threats posed
Modelling the impact of climate and the environment on the spatiotemporal dynamics of Lyme borreliosis in Germany
Batista, Martín Lotto et al.
eBioMedicine, Volume 115, 105701
This study used spatiotemporal Bayesian modeling to analyze the impact of climate and environmental factors on Lyme borreliosis (LB) dynamics in Germany. The research found that precipitation, temperature, green spaces, and forest cover positively influenced LB incidence, while human population density had a negative impact. The study also identified increasing trends in LB risk, particularly in northern regions, and highlighted the role of climate in shaping LB distribution and transmission.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105701
How does temperature affect West Nile Virus transmission?
A new study, carried out as part of the IDAlert project, was published in PLOS Computational Biology, examining how temperature affects
Uncovering temperature sensitivity of West Nile virus transmission: Novel computational approaches to mosquito-pathogen trait responses
Heidecke et al. – PLOS Computational Biology, Volume 19, e1012866
This study introduces a computational framework to assess temperature sensitivity in mosquito-pathogen interactions, focusing on West Nile virus (WNV). Using experimental data across 15 mosquito species, the authors estimate temperature response functions for key traits influencing WNV transmission. They find an optimal transmission temperature around 24°C for Culex species and highlight key areas for future research to improve transmission models under climate change.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012866
Moving forward in tackling climate-sensitive infectious diseases
Last week, IDAlert organised its 3rd General Assembly in the historic heart of Athens, Greece, hosted by the Benaki Phytopathological
Stakeholder workshop to enhance the EpiOutlook Platform
On February 28, our partners Rachel Lowe, Adrià San José Plana, and Diana Urquiza hosted a workshop to gather stakeholder
Bridging Climate Science and Public Health: Testing Our Educational Tool
As climate change continues to reshape our world, its impact on public health has never been more evident. Rising temperatures,
Anna Omazic receives an award for communication that inspires public action
Every year, the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA) highlights the importance of making scientific information accessible to society by awarding the
Harmonizing Multisource Data to Inform Vector-Borne Disease Risk Management Strategies
Lowe R, Codeço CT.
Annu Rev Entomol. 2025 Jan;70(1):337-358.
In the last few decades, we have witnessed the emergence of new vector-borne diseases (VBDs), the globalization of endemic VBDs, and the urbanization of previously rural VBDs. Data harmonization forms the basis of robust decision-support systems designed to protect at-risk communities from VBD threats. Strong interdisciplinary partnerships, protocols, digital infrastructure, and capacity-building initiatives are essential for facilitating the coproduction of robust multisource data sets. This review provides a foundation for researchers and practitioners embarking on data harmonization efforts to (a) better understand the links among environmental degradation, climate change, socioeconomic inequalities, and VBD risk; (b) conduct risk assessments, health impact attribution, and projection studies; and (c) develop robust early warning and response systems. We draw upon best practices in harmonizing data for two well-studied VBDs, dengue and malaria, and provide recommendations for the evolution of research and digital technology to improve data harmonization for VBD risk management.
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-040124-015101
Addressing Climate Change and Infectious Diseases in Bangladesh
The IDAlert is making progress in understanding how climate change influences the emergence and spread of infectious diseases across its