Caroline T. Weldon1, Scott C. Weaver1, and Kathryn H. Jacobsen2
1 Western Gulf Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas;
2 University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia
Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 106: 1003-1004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-1340
Summary: The COVID19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to medical and public health research productivity, especially among laboratory researchers. These applied and academic public health workforce challenges have had a significant adverse impact on vector-borne disease (VBD) work in the United States over the past 2 years. Based on responders to a small convenience survey, the authors observed the following trends: 1) Early in the pandemic, VBD personnel reported disruptions to the acquisition of biological specimens and laboratory equipment and supplies. 2) Much of the VBD workforce in 2020 were re-assigned to COVID-19 contact tracing and efforts on VBDs were reduced. 3) During 2020 and 2021 there was concern that VBDs were underdiagnosed and underreported, thereby reducing funding and resources for emerging VBDs. 4) The responders felt that it will take several years for VBD research to regain momentum creating a decrease in publications reflecting the void in research.