248 - Highlights: Recent outbreaks and/or introductions of vector species

Globalization, anthropogenic factors, and climate change are amongst the main drivers of recent VBD emergence, re-emergence, and outbreaks worldwide. Global warming allows the establishment of vector populations in new areas (i.e northern latitudes), or the expansion of their historic geographic range, and with them the pathogens they carry. This has been observed for numerous diseases, including babesiosis and West Nile. Similarly, travel and animal movement has contributed to VBDs outbreaks or establishment in new areas, as it has been reported for theileriosis, malaria, and dengue, for example. VBDs control is challenging due to a plethora of reasons, and thus preparedness is key. Being prepared for vector / pathogens introductions, as well as outbreaks, can make a difference in the communities, especially those with limited resources. This talk will review the latest reports of VBDs outbreaks, emergence, re-emergence, and vector / pathogen introductions, based on peer-reviewed journal articles published in 2023. Online databases and internet sources will be used as search engines for relevant literature; and the selection of the articles to be presented will be based on citations, geographic areas, vectors, and effects on human and animal health. In addition to the 2023 published papers, this talk will include a brief summary of outbreaks and introductions for the first quarter of 2024, if any. This summary will be based off newspaper articles and health organizations reports, and its goal will be increasing audience awareness of very recent and ongoing events.