Infectious Disease and Climate Change Webinar: Surveillance of Neglected Mosquito- and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Southern Manitoba

It is predicted that southern Manitoba will experience dramatic climate changes by 2050, likely to increase the burden of infectious diseases. Of concern is the invasion of medically important pathogens that are transmitted to humans by tick and mosquito species ubiquitous in the province, but currently neglected in provincial surveillance programs. The pathogens causing these diseases are harboured by established tick or mosquito populations but are not subjected to active or passive surveillance. This study provided information on the seasonal population dynamics of neglected vector species and their microbiomes and highlights how a changing climate can impact the distribution and prevalence of vectors and pathogens.