From Bites to Burden: Mosquitoes and their diseases in the Ottawa Valley with Marc Avramov

 

 

Mosquito-borne pathogens are a leading cause of infectious diseases worldwide. To understand the factors associated with pathogen spread, we must first tease out what drives certain species to be present and proliferate in natural, urban, and rural localities, especially in the context of environmental change. This talk will first introduce general information on mosquitoes, how they transmit diseases, how we monitor them, research/surveillance updates specific to the Ottawa Valley, current control programs, and how we can protect ourselves from these pests. Importantly, we will discuss about the complex yet fascinating interplay between their breeding habitats, feeding preferences, and pathogen transmission. The ultimate goal of our research is to inform current and future strategies to limit the burden associated with mosquitoes.