Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Vector-Borne Diseases: Risks, Prevention, and Emerging Challenges
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 53
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Zoonotic vector-borne diseases (ZVBDs) pose significant health risks to workers in various occupational settings, including agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, laboratory research, and public health. This Special Issue aims to explore the occupational dimensions of ZVBDs, highlighting the epidemiological burden, risk factors, preventive strategies, and emerging threats associated with workplace exposure.
The primary objective of this Special Issue is to consolidate current research and innovative approaches that address occupational exposure to ZVBDs. The issue will cover the epidemiology of occupational ZVBDs, including incidence, prevalence, and emerging trends among workers in high-risk sectors. It will also examine occupational risk factors related to work environments and job-related activities that increase exposure to vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and sandflies. Additionally, it will explore biological and environmental determinants, including the influence of climate change, land use, and ecological shifts, on the occupational risk of ZVBD transmission.
The Special Issue will include discussions on personal protective strategies and workplace safety, focusing on the effectiveness of protective clothing, repellents, vaccination, and biosecurity measures in reducing exposure. It will also highlight surveillance and early detection in occupational settings through workplace monitoring, vector control, and diagnostic advancements. The impact on worker health and well-being, including occupational illnesses, long-term effects, and psychosocial consequences for affected workers, will be addressed. Furthermore, regulatory and policy perspectives at the national and international levels will be explored to understand how occupational exposure to ZVBDs is managed and what workplace safety regulations are in place. Lastly, the issue will showcase innovative interventions and technologies, such as remote sensing, geospatial mapping, and artificial intelligence, in tracking and mitigating occupational ZVBD risks. We invite researchers to contribute original research articles, systematic reviews, and case studies that enhance our understanding of occupational exposure to zoonotic vector-borne diseases. Contributions should focus on evidence-based practices, innovative solutions, and interdisciplinary collaborations that advance occupational health protection.
Dr. Angela Stufano
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- zoonotic vector-borne diseases
- ZVBDs
- preventive strategies
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