Modelling the spread and mitigation of an emerging vector-borne pathogen: Citrus greening in the U.S

PLoS Comput Biol. 2023 Jun 2;19(6):e1010156. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010156. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Predictive models, based upon epidemiological principles and fitted to surveillance data, play an increasingly important role in shaping regulatory and operational policies for emerging outbreaks. Data for parameterising these strategically important models are often scarce when rapid actions are required to change the course of an epidemic invading a new region. We introduce and test a flexible epidemiological framework for landscape-scale disease management of an emerging vector-borne pathogen for use with endemic and invading vector populations. We use the framework to analyse and predict the spread of Huanglongbing disease or citrus greening in the U.S. We estimate epidemiological parameters using survey data from one region (Texas) and show how to transfer and test parameters to construct predictive spatio-temporal models for another region (California). The models are used to screen effective coordinated and reactive management strategies for different regions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Citrus*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Epidemics*
  • Plant Diseases / prevention & control

Grants and funding

The study was funded by the grant "Modelling the spread of Huanglongbing (HLB) Disease of citrus in California: utilizing the Cambridge Modelling Interface and Texas HLB Data" (APHIS agreement No 16-8130-0730-CA) from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture to CAG. CAG also acknowledges support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (INV-010472_2020). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.