The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that funding for the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-borne Disease (MCE-BVD) will be renewed for another 5 years. Entomology professor Susan Paskewitz and Lyric Bartholomay will continue to co-direct the $10 million center.

The MCE-VBD is a regional organization centered at UW–Madison with partners in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa. The Center addresses issues of critical importance to management of vector-borne disease in the United States, including those caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes (West Nile) as well as tick-borne pathogens like Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease). Over the next 5 years, Center personnel will test and improve existing methods of mosquito and tick management and bite prevention, evaluate new products and methods, support the training of the next generation of medical/public health entomologists, and enhance a strong community of practice between academic scientists, public health organizations, mosquito control operations, and private pest control service providers.