Assessing the potential for mosquito vector-borne disease emergence in Northern Ireland: enhanced surveillance/investigation of the ecology of Culex populations
Supervisors:
Heather Ferguson, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Francesco Baldini, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Simon Babayan, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Summary:
Climate and associated environmental changes are driving the expansion of diseases spread by mosquitoes into northern areas of Europe. Such mosquito vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are not circulating in the UK at present; but their potential for emergence is increasing. Understanding and mitigating this risk requires comprehensive understanding of the distribution and ecology of potential vector species in the UK. However, at present most mosquito surveillance in the UK is focused in England, Scotland, and Wales; leaving a knowledge gap for Northern Ireland.
This project will address this deficit through comprehensive investigation of potential mosquito vector species in Northern Ireland, while the findings will contribute to global understandings of vector mosquito biology. There will be a particular focus on the mosquito Culex pipiens due to its widespread presence across the UK, and role in the emergence of zoonotic VBDs in Europe.