This monograph introduces some current developments in the modelling of
the spread of tick-borne diseases. Effective modelling requires the
integration of multiple frameworks. Here, particular attention is given
to the previously neglected issues of tick developmental and behavioral
diapause, tick-borne pathogen co-feeding transmission, and their
interactions. An introduction to the required basics of structured
population formulations and delay differential equations is given, and
topics for future study are suggested. The described techniques will
also be useful in the study of other vector-borne diseases.
The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a general qualitative
framework leading to tick-borne disease risk predictive tools and a
decision support system.
The target audience is mathematical biologists interested in modelling
tick population dynamics and tick-borne disease transmission, and
developing computational tools for disease prevention and control.