Vector-borne Disease

Florida has approximatley 25 to 30 ticks. Which ticks are in Florida? What diseases do ticks spread? And how do residents and visitors alike can stay safe when outdoors?

A new study by UF Emerging Pathogens Institute members suggests Florida has all the ingredients for local Chagas disease transmission, a latent but life-threatening disease that can cause organ failure.

Oropouche virus, a pathogen endemic to the Amazon region, has recently shown unusual activity with spread to new areas. UF EPI expert Dr. Maureen Long answers common questions about the virus.

UF researchers at the Emerging Pathogens Institute work to diagnose Chagas disease in Florida, a potentially lethal and poorly understood illness that spreads via kissing bugs.

As climatic conditions and population growth causes frequent infectious disease outbreaks, a new study shows limited availability of software tools that can accurately forecast risks.

UF veterinary parasitologist Jeff Gruntmeir shares expertise on babesiosis, an emerging disease spread by ticks.

A new study determines which household-level characteristics influence the presence of disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Huaquillas, Ecuador.

Ever wonder what scientists are up to behind the scenes, when they are not consumed with crunching data, or endlessly editing papers for publication? They just may be traveling in far-flung places — not only to hunt for data, but to build relationships with the people and places they study. This is the first photo essay in a new occasional series, Science Scenes, in which we invite you to explore how EPI's faculty and affiliate researchers work across the globe.

Feed mosquitoes more nitrogen when they’re young, and the adults are less likely to transmit the Zika virus, University of Florida scientists say. Now, researchers want to know why, and they’re determined to discover how the findings can help further their research into the dangerous virus.

EPI investigator Jeffrey Bloomquist reviewed the insect repellent DEET's safety record, and finds it poses little to no risk when used in compliance with product label directions. In fact, he says, it's a useful tool to prevent insect-borne diseases when utilized intermittently.