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260.601.01
Vector-Borne Disease Control

Course Status
Cancelled

Location
East Baltimore
Note: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this course was held in a virtual/online format.
Term
4th Term
Department
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2020 - 2021
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 3:20pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

Background in biomedical sciences

Description
Vector-borne diseases represent over 17% of all infectious diseases, and a variety of factors have contributed to this, including: lack of drugs and vaccines, or resistance to drugs and insecticides, as well as environmental, climatological, demographic and socioeconomical factors. Addressing multiple diseases, that share the vector-mediated mode of transmission between humans, and by addressing multiple control strategies for a given disease, will provide a thorough understanding of the critical factors that determine effective disease control. The need for public health professionals with expertise in various aspects of vector-borne disease control is significant and increasing.
The course will address various vector-borne disease control strategies that target any of the complex interactions between the pathogen, vector and host. Emphasis is placed on malaria, dengue and other arboviral diseases, as well as Chagas, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis. Current and future prophylactic, therapeutic and transmission-blocking vaccines and drugs, vector control, and vector-targeted pathogen transmission control are some examples of control strategies that will be discussed. Interactions between control methods and factors that influence efficacy will also be addressed.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain current and future vector-borne disease control concepts
  2. Identify the most effective disease control strategy for a given disease and transmission setting
  3. Critique the strengths and weaknesses of various vector-borne disease strategies
  4. Analyze compatibilities and incompatibilities between different vector-borne disease control strategies, and identify the most appropriate combination in a given transmission environment.