Network of Medical Entomology Laboratories

The medical entomology working group (WP3) aims at supporting national capacities of entomological surveillance and control for vectors of interest.

It focuses on vectors identified as present threats or with potential risk of emergence in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sahel regions.

The target vectors identified are:

• Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) responsible for transmission of Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) to humans ;
• Culex mosquitoes (e.g., Culex pipiens) implicated in the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) ;
• Other arboviruses transmitted by sandflies or ticks (e.g., Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) transmitted by Hyalomma tick bites) are also considered in the MediLabSecure program activities.

Medical entomology explained in motion design from MediLabSecure on Vimeo.

First phase of medilabsecure (2014-2018): what have been done?

During the first phase of MediLabSecure (2014-2018), several actions have been implemented.

• A strong network of medical entomology laboratories is established, that enhanced sectoral, inter-sectoral and cross-border collaboration.
• Four workshops were proposed in order to develop capacity building in medical entomology and vector surveillance for laboratory staff of the MediLabSecure network. Three regional workshops were dedicated to biology, identification and surveillance of mosquito vectors of arboviruses. A fourth distinct field workshop exposed the main operational activities implemented in the South of France for mosquito surveillance and control.
  
• External quality assessments (EQAs) was organized to assess the efficiency and accuracy of mosquito identification.
  
• An interactive identification key for Euro-Mediterranean mosquitoes (MosKeyTool)
  
• 10 mosquito factsheets with information on the main features and morphological identification hints
  
• A roadmap toward the harmonization of entomological surveillance systems in the Mediterranean area regarding the risks of mosquito borne virus transmission
  

Second phase of medilabsecure (2019-2021)

For this second phase, WP3 will strengthen the capacity building process implemented during the first phase. WP3 will step up its efforts on enhancing national capacities of entomological surveillance and control for vectors of interest. Promoting integrated vector management will be a major focus. Scope of targeted vectors will be enlarged to ticks and phlebotomines.

In line with this goal, the main overall actions planned to be taken are :

> Facilitate and reinforce the medical entomology network, paying particular attention to the integration of the new laboratories from Sahel countries. List of the network members

> Provide trainings and follow-up:

• Trainings on vector identification, biology, surveillance and vector control
• External Quality Assessment on laboratory competence for vector species identification

> Elaborate tools:

• Maps on potential mosquito vector of arboviruses and transmission risk maps
• Interactive identification key for Euro-Mediterranean phlebotome species of (PhlebKeyTool)
• Identification key for mosquito species of the Sahel region

By clicking on the Icon at the top left corner of the map, you will be able to  select the Network  of Medical Entomology. Untick to hide.

Contact:

This group is led by Dr Vincent Robert (Key expert) and Marie Picard (Project Manager) at MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, France.