1
|
Berman JD, Abadi AM, Bell JE. Existing Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing Drought and Health Research. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:255-265. [PMID: 38568401 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00440-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Drought is one of the most far-reaching natural disasters, yet drought and health research is sparse. This may be attributed to the challenge of quantifying drought exposure, something complicated by multiple drought indices without any designed for health research. The purpose of this general review is to evaluate current drought and health literature and highlight challenges or scientific considerations when performing drought exposure and health assessments. RECENT FINDINGS The literature revealed a small, but growing, number of drought and health studies primarily emphasizing Australian, western European, and US populations. The selection of drought indices and definitions of drought are inconsistent. Rural and agricultural populations have been identified as vulnerable cohorts, particularly for mental health outcomes. Using relevant examples, we discuss the importance of characterizing drought and explore why health outcomes, populations of interest, and compound environmental hazards are crucial considerations for drought and health assessments. As climate and health research is prioritized, we propose guidance for investigators performing drought-focused analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Berman
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code #807, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Azar M Abadi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jesse E Bell
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, Medical Center College of Public Health, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vanwambeke S, Lambin E, Meyfroidt P, Asaaga F, Millins C, Purse B. Land system governance shapes tick-related public and animal health risks. JOURNAL OF LAND USE SCIENCE 2024; 19:78-96. [PMID: 38690402 PMCID: PMC11057406 DOI: 10.1080/1747423x.2024.2330379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Land cover and land use have established effects on hazard and exposure to vector-borne diseases. While our understanding of the proximate and distant causes and consequences of land use decisions has evolved, the focus on the proximate effects of landscape on disease ecology remains dominant. We argue that land use governance, viewed through a land system lens, affects tick-borne disease risk. Governance affects land use trajectories and potentially shapes landscapes favourable to ticks or increases contact with ticks by structuring human-land interactions. We illustrate the role of land use legacies, trade-offs in land-use decisions, and social inequities in access to land resources, information and decision-making, with three cases: Kyasanur Forest disease in India, Lyme disease in the Outer Hebrides (Scotland), and tick acaricide resistance in cattle in Ecuador. Land use governance is key to managing the risk of tick-borne diseases, by affecting the hazard and exposure. We propose that land use governance should consider unintended consequences on infectious disease risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S.O Vanwambeke
- Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Earth and Life Institute (ELI), Earth and Climate Pole (ELIC), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - E.F Lambin
- Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Earth and Life Institute (ELI), Earth and Climate Pole (ELIC), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - P Meyfroidt
- Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Earth and Life Institute (ELI), Earth and Climate Pole (ELIC), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique F.R.S.-FNRS, Brussels, Belgium
| | - F.A Asaaga
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - C Millins
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - B.V Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tonk-Rügen M, Zając Z, Cabezas-Cruz A. Can Tick Microbiome Explain Nonlinear Relationship between Tick Abundance and Lyme Disease Incidence? Pathogens 2023; 12:1229. [PMID: 37887745 PMCID: PMC10610533 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are hematophagous ectoparasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of vertebrate hosts, posing significant concern due to their unrivaled capacity to transmit various pathogens, which surpasses those of all other known arthropod vectors [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk-Rügen
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St., 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
McFadzean H, Johnson N, Phipps LP, Swinson V, Boden LA. Surveillance and Risk Analysis for Bovine Babesiosis in England and Wales to Inform Disease Distribution. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2118. [PMID: 37443916 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia divergens is a zoonotic piroplasm that infects both cattle and humans in Europe. Disease transmission occurs through Ixodes ricinus tick bites, a species that is increasing in abundance and distribution across Europe in response to climate and land-use changes. Developments in agri-environment policy and changing consumer demands may also have unintended consequences on tick-borne disease rates. Currently, B. divergens surveillance in British cattle is limited, rendering temporal trend analysis and the detection of potential zoonotic hotspots impossible. The objective of this study was to assess syndromic surveillance as a means of determining babesiosis distribution in British cattle, and to evaluate the intrinsic disease risk factors in order to respond to disease threats posed by changing environments. Samples from 95 clinically affected cattle on 70 unique holdings were screened for Babesia spp., using established blood smear examination techniques and a B. divergens-specific PCR method, between April and December 2021. B. divergens was detected in 45/95 animals (47.4%), with PCR offering the advantage of identification at species level. Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 19/95 animals (20%). Co-infection was detected in five animals. The cases were recorded across multiple geographic regions and throughout the sampling period. Univariate logistic regression analysis failed to identify any statistically significant risk factors for B. divergens presence. This study demonstrates that bovine babesiosis is geographically widespread throughout England and Wales, placing a large proportion of the cattle population at risk of infection, with the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Vector Borne Diseases, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Surrey KT17 3NB, UK
| | - L Paul Phipps
- Vector Borne Diseases, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Surrey KT17 3NB, UK
| | - Vanessa Swinson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 1PZ, UK
| | - Lisa A Boden
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Richter D, Schneider AK, Schibalski A, Dahlkamp A, Schröder B. Features in and around residential gardens affecting the presence and abundance of questing Ixodes ricinus ticks. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2023; 13:2207878. [PMID: 37180872 PMCID: PMC10167878 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2023.2207878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
People may be exposed to questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in urban settings, e.g. residential gardens. Little is known about the garden characteristics that support a tick population. To determine which features in and around residential gardens support or limit the occurrence and abundance of questing I. ricinus ticks, we sampled them in residential gardens in the Braunschweig region that differed in various intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. We recorded the number of questing nymphal and adult ticks on transects, and by using mixed-effects generalized linear regression models, we related their occurrence and abundance to garden characteristics, meteorological covariates, and landscape features in the vicinity. We detected questing I. ricinus ticks in about 90% of the 103 surveyed gardens. Our occurrence model (marginal R2 = 0.31) predicted the highest probability of questing ticks on transects with hedges or groundcover in gardens, which are located in neighborhoods with large proportions of forest. The abundance of questing ticks was similarly influenced. We conclude that I. ricinus ticks are frequent in residential gardens in Northern Germany and likely associated with intrinsic garden characteristics on a small scale, such as hedges, as well as extrinsic factors on a local scale, such as the proportion of nearby woodland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dania Richter
- Landscape Ecology and Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Schneider
- Landscape Ecology and Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anett Schibalski
- Landscape Ecology and Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahlkamp
- Landscape Ecology and Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Boris Schröder
- Landscape Ecology and Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research BBIB, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Medlock JM, Vaux AGC, Gandy S, Cull B, McGinley L, Gillingham E, Catton M, Pullan ST, Hansford KM. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the density of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Ixodes ricinus ticks across a landscape: A 5-year study in southern England. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 36:356-370. [PMID: 35521893 PMCID: PMC9545817 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The density of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Ixodes ricinus nymphs (DIN) was investigated during 2013-2017 across a Lyme disease-endemic landscape in southern England. The density of nymphs (DON), nymph infection prevalence (NIP), and DIN varied across five different natural habitats, with the highest DIN in woodland edge and high biodiversity woodlands. DIN was significantly lower in scrub grassland compared to the woodland edge, with low DON and no evidence of infection in ticks in non-scrub grassland. Over the 5 years, DON, NIP and DIN were comparable within habitats, except in 2014, with NIP varying three-fold and DIN significantly lower compared to 2015-2017. Borrelia garinii was most common, with bird-associated Borrelia (B. garinii/valaisiana) accounting for ~70% of all typed sequences. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was more common than B. afzelii. Borrelia afzelii was more common in scrub grassland than woodland and absent in some years. The possible impact of scrub on grazed grassland, management of ecotonal woodland margins with public access, and the possible role of birds/gamebirds impacting NIP are discussed. Mean NIP was 7.6%, highlighting the potential risk posed by B. burgdorferi in this endemic area. There is a need for continued research to understand its complex ecology and identify strategies for minimizing risk to public health, through habitat/game management and public awareness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Alexander G. C. Vaux
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Sara Gandy
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Liz McGinley
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Emma Gillingham
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Matthew Catton
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Steven T. Pullan
- Diagnostic & Genomic TechnologiesUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| | - Kayleigh M. Hansford
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology GroupUK Health Security AgencySalisburyWiltshireUK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Urban woodland habitat is important for tick presence and density in a city in England. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101857. [PMID: 34763308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Urban green spaces provide an opportunity for contact between members of the public and ticks infected with pathogens. Understanding tick distribution within these areas and the drivers for increased tick density or Borrelia infection are important from a risk management perspective. This study aimed to generate data on tick presence, nymph density and Borrelia infection across a range of urban green space habitats, in order to identify those that may potentially present a higher risk of Lyme borreliosis to members of the public. Several sites were visited across the English city of Bath during 2015 and 2016. Tick presence was confirmed in all habitats surveyed, with increased likelihood in woodland and woodland edge. Highest nymph densities were also reported in these habitats, along with grassland during one of the sampling years. Adult ticks were more likely to be infected compared to nymphs, and the highest densities of infected nymphs were associated with woodland edge habitat. In addition to Lyme borreliosis causing Borrelia genospecies, Borrelia miyamotoi was also detected at several sites. This study adds to the growing evidence that urban green space habitats present a public health risk from tick bites, and this has implications for many policy areas including health and wellbeing, climate adaptation and urban green space planning.
Collapse
|