Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are posing an extreme and growing risk both for human and veterinary health worldwide. Bangladesh is a prime example for the growing interface between animals and humans, and overall representing one of the major hotspots for emerging infectious diseases. The problem is not limited to human health, but it also has a high impact in the general veterinary health context throughout the country. Since the food production of the country is highly related to the livestock industry, evaluating and understanding the risk of VBDs is highly relevant in economic terms as well. Within the framework of the VECTORACT project, the University of Pécs (HU) and University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT) aim to respond to this growing concern by improving theoretical and practical knowledge and building capacity for HEIs located in two major regional universities, Rajshahi and Chittagong by establishing two practical setups (trapping equipment) for relevant training in association with VBDs. The main objective is to develop the teaching background of HEIs to train students how to identify, assess and mitigate VBD-related risks. Target groups are HEI teachers and students, who will be provided with practical training, theoretical lectures and on a broader knowledge palette, multiple workshops by applying a train-the-trainers approach. At the same time, VECTORACT will reach out to stakeholders dealing with vector borne diseases and related fields, such as governmental institutions and public health authorities, as well as prepare a comprehensive mapping of relevant stakeholders in the field of VBD surveillance and formulate policy recommendations, which can serve as the theoretical foundations of a countrywide VBD surveillance system aiming at establishing a long-term and more comprehensive intervention strategy in the future.

INTELLECTUAL MERITS. Bangladesh, a low-lying, one of the most densely populated countries in the world located at the Bay of Bengal, is prone to transboundary monsoonal flooding, potentially aggravated by more frequent and intensified cyclones resulting from anthropogenic climate change. Sea-level rise, along with tectonic, sediment load and groundwater extraction induced land uplift/subsidence, have significantly exacerbate these risks and Bangladesh’s coastal vulnerability. We propose to build a robust Belmont Challenge identified Earth System Analysis & Prediction System (ESAPS) for Bangladesh, to adapt/mitigate the detrimental hazards including sea-level rise. We will establish an advanced observation system based on contemporary space geodetic sensors to quantify (1) causes of sea-level rise and land motion and their robust vertical datum link, and (2) human interactions that governs coastal vulnerability in Bangladesh. This knowledge will be used for the integrated development of a natural and social science framework employing robust predictive modeling towards the adaption of sea-level rise and other hazards in coastal Bangladesh. Our international, cross-disciplinary science team, consists of natural and social scientists including local stakeholders, will leverage upon ongoing environmental and social projects in the region. Our approach includes observation/fieldwork based syntheses to discern sea-level rise and land motion and their projections at century timescales, socioeconomic analyses including vulnerable population projection, micro adaptation, land use change, and community adaptive capacity, and integrated assessment including scenario analysis, dissemination, and decision-support service in coastal Bangladesh. BROADER IMPACTS. The developed BanD-AID ESAPS prototype system is transportable to other regions of the world. Our work will both leverage and benefit other existing projects (e.g., Fulbright, NASA, NSF, ONR, USAID). The project will train students, technicians and social workers who will be the next-generation local stakeholders.