Introduction and Overview

This editorial book is the result of the cooperation starting from September 2017 be-

tween different scientific disciplines within the framework of IMAAC (www.imaac.eu)

related to the COST Action CA 16227 (Investigation & Mathematical Analysis of Avant-

garde Disease Control via Mosquito Nano-Tech-Repellents, https://www.cost.eu/

actions/CA16227/), supported by COST Association (European Cooperation in Sci-

ence and Technology). The European Action consisted of almost 100 members from nearly

35 countries, scientists, health experts, and professionals, aimed to develop new techniques

in combatting mosquito-transmitted Vector-borne Diseases (VBDs) using nano- and micro-

particles attached to textiles and paints to reduce the danger of mosquito bites. It was nec-

essary to develop new methods to measure the efficacy of such techniques. Unfortunately,

it was impossible to perform field studies during the Action, which needed huge funding

and was out of the scope of the Grant and Action.

Mosquito-transmitted diseases are among the most dangerous problems in many coun-

tries. Experts estimated that VBDs account for around 17% of all infectious diseases, caus-

ing more than 700,000 deaths annually (See Section I). Controlling the mosquito popula-

tion in living areas is difficult and often has side effects. Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and

yellow fever are vector-borne diseases transmitted by daytime active mosquitos. These dis-

eases have a significant health risk and a negative economic factor in 128 countries, mainly

in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In recent years,

however, VBDs and, specifically, dengue fever has been occurring in Europe. Some rea-

sons for this are the worldwide flow of trade and traveling tourism. Increasing urbanization

and regional warming due to global climate change have amplified the spread of mosquitos

like Aedes albopictus, even in Europe.

One of the biggest challenges of IMAAC was bringing together many experts from dif-

ferent disciplines, i.e., mathematics, biology, epidemiology, entomology, physics, chem-

istry, textile engineering, and even social sciences, to discuss various topics and find a

common language. This book aims to give a brief overview and understanding of the dif-

ferent disciplines involved in researching this exciting topic without going too in-depth.

Some chapters, for instance, in mathematical epidemiology, are difficult to understand by

non-mathematicians but fulfill the purpose of clarifying how mathematics can contribute

to research.

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