ENVY, Ecology of Neglected tropical Vector-borne diseases in Yucatan, México

The “ENVY” project aims to comprehensively identify the ecological interactions of vectors of the major vector-borne Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico), using modern approaches and across gradients of anthropization, in order to precisely elucidate the transmission cycles of the corresponding pathogens, and the dynamics of these cycles. To achieve this, the project adopts an integrated One Health/Ecohealth framework and draws on diverse, complementary expertise, including fieldwork, ecology, molecular ecology (metabarcoding), chemical ecology, bioinformatics, and modeling. By incorporating the resulting data into dynamic transmission models, the project seeks to identify the conditions that minimize the transmission of the studied pathogens to humans. Ultimately, ENVY aims to support the development and optimization of integrated, locally adapted strategies for controlling vector-borne transmission of these pathogens, contributing to the sustainable management of the major endemic NTDs in the region—namely Chagas disease, leishmaniases, dengue, and chikungunya.