Viruses transmitted by arthopods such as mosquitoes and ticks are a growing global public health concern. The Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are not spared, as outbreaks of West Nile virus are periodically reported and cases of Rift Valley Fever, including humans, have already been identified. Thus, understanding the potential for future (re)emergence in these regions if of utmost importance.
In this context, researchers of the MediLabSecure network have collaboratively mapped arboviruses and their vectors in 16 of the partner countries in the Balkans, the Middle-East and North Africa.
This work underlines the importance of suveillance and the implementation of adapted control strategies of vector-borne diseases.
Launched in 2014, MediLabSecure is a European project, coordinated by the Institut Pasteur, that associates laboratories located in 19 non-EU countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Institut Pasteur in Algeria, Morocco and Tunis are partners of this network.
By reinforcing capacity building and providing tools for the harmonization of surveillance systems, this project aims to improve the surveillance of viruses in animals, humans, and vectors.
Source: Failloux, A.-B., Bouattour, A., Faraj, C., Gunay, F., Haddad, N., Harrat, Z., Jancheska E., Kanani K., Kenawy M.-A., Kota M., Pajovic I., Paronyan L., Petric D., Sarih M., Sawalha S., Shaibi T., Sherifi K., Sulesco T., Velo E., Gaayeb L., Victoir K. & Robert, V. (2017). Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network. Current Tropical Medicine Reports. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-017-0101-y
