Workshop title:

Venue: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama.

Duration: 3 days

Days: 21-23 June 2021

Course Fee: Rs. 15,000.00

Number of Participants: 20- first come first serve basis

 Rationale:

Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or a reservoir host) to another host, causing serious diseases in human populations. According to the information by the World Health Organization, these diseases are commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and places where access to safe drinking-water and sanitation systems are problematic. Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases. In Sri Lanka, mosquito-borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Filariasis, Chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis have received a wider attention due to their high prevalence and public health concerns at present and past. Several international and local workshops have been conducted in the country on mosquito-borne diseases and vector identification. However, only limited attempts have been made to educate the scientific community on other arthropod-borne diseases. Therefore, the main objective of the proposed workshop is to raise awareness among scientific community in Sri Lanka on the other vector- borne diseases, their vectors and parasites.

Target audience: Academia, Entomologists, Medical/ Research Scientists, Vector and disease control managers, Postgraduate/undergraduate students studying Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School leavers targeting higher education in Medicine/Science.

Payment should be credited to People’s bank account No. 316100194564819 at the Ragama branch in favour of Bursar, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

Scanned copy of bank slip or online deposit and the duly filled application form should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before 17^th of June 2021.

• Scrub typhus
  

  The infection of Orientia tsutsugamushi bacterium, which is transmitted through the bite of infected chiggers (larval mites)

• Flea-borne diseases

  Plague (caused by Yersinia pestis), epidemic typhus (caused by Rickettsia prowazekii) and accidental transmission of tape worm infections.

• Lyme disease

  The infection of Borrelia sp., which is transmitted by the bite of the infected ticks (Ixodes spp.)

• Leishmaniasis

  Infection is caused by protozoan parasites of Genus Leishmania and transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies.

• Human trypanosomiasis

  The infection of the protozoan parasites, Trypanosoma spp. and transmitted by Glossina sp (tsetse flies) or Triatoma sp. (kissing bug).

• Scabies

  Skin infestation caused by mite; Sarcoptes scabiei.

• Pediculosis and other diseases transmitted by lice

  Skin infestations and disease conditions.

• Onchocerciasis

  Parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus, which is transmitted by Simulium black flies.

• Loiasis

  A disease caused by the nematode parasite Loa loa. Humans contract this disease through the bite of a deer fly (Chrysops spp.)

• Mansonelliasis

  The infection by the nematode parasites of genus Mansonella and transmitted by black flies or biting midges.