On Urgently Tackling the Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the European Union

Abstract

Context: According to a recent Lancet report the world is dangerously close to reaching climate-driven points of no return. Climate change, together with other drivers, contributed to a large diffusion of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) in the last decades. The intensity of such a phenomenon led various mosquito species to migrate to new areas, outside their historical habitats. Europe is among the affected territories. Moreover, the problem is projected to rise and expand within the continent, including populations who have never been exposed to MBDs and impacting the whole society, especially the most vulnerable groups. As Europe is a relatively new area for the diffusion of MBDs, no strong and unified measures have been put into practice yet. Meanwhile, MBDs surveillance experiences implemented across Europe report gaps, such as the absence of entomological research and legal support, the capacity limitation for surveillance, and variability in entomological and epidemiological surveillance systems. Hence, it could be necessary to use the experiences from Latin America, Asia and Africa. Given the aforementioned overview, this policy brief aims to provide policy options in order for the European Union to address MBDs, with a particular emphasis on strengthening surveillance across the Member. States given recent attention drawn to this issue by the ECDC’s 2021 report on vector control and surveillance. Policy Options and recommendations: This advisory group conducted a non-systematic literature review to determine three policy options, with a specific focus on surveillance, to address the issue of MBDs. 1. Surveillance systems for mosquitoes and MBDs should be implemented in all member states, and case definitions for these MBDs should be harmonised to enable coordination and consistency of MBDs surveillance across the European Union (EU). 2. Create an EU-level networks umbrella for financial and organisational coordination of Member States (MS)’ multi-sectoral collaboration on MBDs surveillance. 3. Developing the competencies for surveillance and research professionals for mosquitoes and MBDs surveillance.