Katharina Platzgummer and Edwin Kniha from the Medical University of Vienna made a significant mark on March 16th at the colloquium of the Austrian Entomological Society in Innsbruck by presenting CLIMOS with an informative poster.
The colloquium, a platform dedicated to the promotion, documentation, and representation of scientific entomology in Austria, provided an ideal setting for showcasing CLIMOS’ groundbreaking research and advancements.
Poster Presentation: CLIMOS – Towards a Better Understanding of Sand Fly-Borne Diseases and Their Drivers
The poster delved into the pressing issues surrounding sand fly-borne diseases (SFBDs) such as Leishmaniasis and Phlebovirus infections, which pose a serious risk to public health globally.
The project involves collecting longitudinal data on the distribution of sand flies and animal infection rates across 12 European and neighbouring countries, including Austria and Germany. These data will be used to characterize various environmental, demographic, microclimatic, and epidemiologic factors associated with the occurrence of sand flies and SFBDs.
CLIMOS employs epidemiological-climatic predictive mathematical models to simulate realistic human-induced climatic change scenarios. The goal of its data-driven approach is the establishment of an Early Warning System (EWS) for sand fly-borne diseases based on climate and environmental data from ground level and satellite observations.
In addition to the poster presentation, the CLIMOS team distributed printed flyers at the colloquium, arousing high interest from attendees and further spreading awareness about their vital research and initiatives.
The participation of CLIMOS at the Austrian Entomological Society Colloquium underscores the project’s commitment to advancing our understanding of sand fly-borne diseases and fostering collaboration in combating these public health threats.
