Advances in surveillance and control methods for Aedes-borne diseases and urban vectors: report of the International Conference, August 2024, Tanzania

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases, particularly arboviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes (e.g. dengue, Zika and chikungunya), have (re)emerged globally with increasing prevalence and severity. Climatic and environmental changes have resulted in significant expansion of the geographical distribution of Aedes mosquito vectors to unprecedented levels, creating optimal conditions for their introduction and establishment in new areas, especially in Africa. The prevention of Aedes-borne diseases relies heavily on controlling vector populations. However, the global resurgence of dengue underscores the limitations of current vector control tools in preventing epidemics, highlighting the urgent need for affordable, scalable and community-based vector control measures to address Aedes-borne diseases and urban mosquito vectors (e.g. Aedes spp. and Anopheles stephensi), with the overall aim to improve public health and well-being. In this report, we summarize the main outcomes of the "International conference on advances in surveillance and control methods for Aedes-borne diseases and urban vectors" held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 26-28 August 2024. The conference aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote collaborative research and drive innovation in the surveillance and control of Aedes-borne diseases in Africa. Key objectives included reviewing the performance of new tools and technologies for Aedes control, and fostering inter-sectoral and international collaborations to strengthen public health measures against mosquito-borne diseases. The event was attended by more than 200 participants from 20 nationalities/countries and was streamed live online, with 321 virtual accesses recorded during the 3-day event.

Keywords: Aedes spp.; Anopheles stephensi; Arbovirus; Citizen science; Innovative tools; Vector control and surveillance.

Fig. 1

Reductions in the incidence of reported dengue cases after deployment of Wolbachia-infected Aedes in Indonesia, Brazil and Colombia Courtesy of Jeremie Gilles, World Mosquito Program, France

Fig. 2

Global distribution of insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, visualized using IR Mapper (https://www.irmapper.com/). The maps are freely accessible from IR Mapper at https://www.irmapper.com/ (accessed 29 April)