Strengthening arbovirus surveillance: bridging gaps for global health preparedness

Abstract

Despite significant advancements in arbovirus research, contributions remain disproportionately focused on regions with reported major outbreaks of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. This bias risks neglecting potentially critical properties in viral evolution, transmission dynamics, ecological drivers, and host-pathogen interactions that occur within the less-studied areas. Recent developments highlight the importance of incorporating data from underrepresented regions and from recent surveillance approaches to uncover novel insights that could enhance global preparedness and response strategies. This opinion explores frameworks for generating and integrating diverse geographical data, proposing equitable research approaches to better capture the global heterogeneities and properties of at-risk environments and populations. A geographically inclusive perspective is essential to address emerging arboviral challenges, particularly in the context of a changing environment and shifting land use patterns.

Keywords: arbovirus research; climate change; geographical bias; global preparedness.