Tag: news

Board Meeting and Updated Operating Principles and Procedures

Posted on by Leah Johnson

The VectorBiTE Network Steering Committee and Advisory Board had it’s first meeting from 3-4 August 2022. During the meeting we began formulating long term plans for the Network and updated our OPP document. We are posting the OPP and soliciting feedback before the next meeting of the Steering Committee, scheduled for mid-September. If you have comments or feedback on the OPP document, please submit those through the VectorBiTE gmail account OR e-mail one of the steering committee members (see below).

Operating-Principles-And-Procedures-for-the-VectorBiTE-Network

Current Steering Committee

  • Leah Johnson (Chair)
  • Lauren Cator (Chair Elect)
  • Nicole Gottdenker
  • Peter Hudson
  • Cynthia Lord
  • Samraat Pawar
  • Catherine Lippi (trainee representative)

Current Advisory Board

  • Mike Boots
  • Shannon LaDeau
  • Sunny Power
  • Sadie Ryan
  • Sam Rund
  • Matt Thomas

Aedes Forecasting Challenge 2019

Posted on by Zach Gajewski

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases and the CDC Epidemic Prediction Initiative, in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, are pleased to announce an open Aedes forecasting challenge for 2019.

Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are the vectors of chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses, some of the most important arboviruses impacting human health globally. Because of their potential to transmit these viruses, these mosquitoes are targeted for surveillance and vector control in many areas of the United States. One of the challenges faced by agencies aiming to control these mosquitoes is that their seasonal and geographic range is not precisely known and may be changing.

The Aedes Forecasting Challenge focuses on predicting the seasonal presence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in a subset of U.S. counties from multiple states across the country. At least two years of historical data (2017-2018) are provided for each county and forecasts will predict the collection and reporting of each species for each month of 2019, beginning in April*. The challenge is open to anyone and any methodological approach. Further details on how to participate can be found on the Epidemic Prediction Initiative website: https://predict.cdc.gov/.

Any questions can be directed to aedeschallenge@cdc.gov.

Thanks, Michael

Michael A. Johansson

CDC Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, San Juan, PR