Utilizing a one health lens to determine various ecological and epidemiological drivers of vector-borne disease transmission

Chakraborty, Sulagna

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121246 Copy

Description

Title

Utilizing a one health lens to determine various ecological and epidemiological drivers of vector-borne disease transmission

Author(s)

Chakraborty, Sulagna

Issue Date

2023-07-11

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Allan, Brian F.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Allan, Brian F.

Committee Member(s)

• Andrade, Flavia C.D.
• Smith, Rebecca L.
• Sander, William

Department of Study

School of Integrative Biology

Discipline

Ecol, Evol, Conservation Biol

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• vector-borne diseases
• One Health
• disease ecology
• disease epidemiology
• mixed methods
• public health

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are transmitted by the bites of blood-feeding arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. More than one billion VBD cases and 700,000 deaths in humans occur every year globally. VBDs can affect humans, domestic animals, and wildlife causing severe impacts on countries’ public health, economy, agriculture, biodiversity, conservation, and food production, making this an important One Health problem. One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. I am interested in the role of cattle in the transmission and spread of VBDs to humans. The impact of cattle on the transmission and spread of VBDs is dependent on several factors, such as vector ecology and biology, environmental, climatic, geographic, and anthropogenic factors. Depending on which factors are at play, there can be negative or positive impacts on human health. Understanding these drivers behind VBD transmission can help with the implementation of effective prevention measures and policies to reduce the burden of VBDs worldwide. This dissertation utilizes a One Health lens and a mixed methods approach to determine multiple pathways through which humans, cattle, domestic and wild animals interact with VBDs. For my dissertation research, I used a variety of methods including systematic review, field research, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys, and retrospective data mining and data analysis to determine the ecological and epidemiological processes driving VBD transmission. Among my major research findings, I show that livestock, particularly cattle, can increase or decrease the risk of exposure to VBDs in humans via several ecological mechanisms. Through a field study at Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida, I found that cattle and wildlife may interact in hammocks more than in pasture habitats which can have implications for disease spillover. I also found that farmers and Extension workers in Illinois have moderate knowledge about tickborne diseases (TBDs). Farmers have low concern over contracting TBDs, were unsatisfied with their existing tick prevention measures, and beef producers had higher knowledge of TBDs and certain tick species over other farmer types. Because of the training I provided to Extension workers, they reported feeling confident in engaging with stakeholders on ticks and TBDs. Finally, I discuss my findings regarding human and non-human primate cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease in India along with an epidemiological profile of the affected human patients since its discovery in 1957. The results from my research can be leveraged to inform appropriate public health efforts and promote further investigations into measures that can prevent VBD transmission to humans and animals.

Graduation Semester

2023-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Sulagna Chakraborty

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