Objectives

The objective of the Action, as described by the Technical Committee on Health, was to establish a surveillance with the aim to:

• Identify mosquito vectors both native and invasive species at an island level focusing on regions at higher risk for disease transmission;
• Map mosquito distribution to prioritize regions for which enhanced measures should be taken to control the mosquito population to promote public health;
• Enhance capacity building of local communities to identify mosquitoes of medical significance and to perform surveillance programs;
• Increase public awareness on protection measures against mosquito bites.
   

Results

During this reporting period, local scientists and technicians worked closely with an international expert scientist to develop management plans and standardized protocols for mosquito surveillance. Development of standardized protocols was essential to ensure consistency of the surveillance methodology in both communities. Once the management plan and protocols were completed, the technical teams initiated their field work with larvae monitoring in both communities in September 2020. Field work for adult mosquito surveillance in the Greek Cypriot community was initiated in September with already existing mosquito traps. Surveillance in the Turkish Cypriot community started upon delivery of the required equipment in October.

The technical team used various methods and types of traps to ensure scientifically viable collection of samples. Even though the field work was interrupted due to Covid-19 related movement restrictions, the technical team successfully completed the sampling required for dry and wet seasons in both communities by April 2021. The team is now in the process of conducting morphological and genetical analysis on the collected samples, in close collaboration with the international expert scientist, who is responsible for ensuring scientific quality of the whole process. The analysis has been completed and the results of the analysis have been used to prepare a layperson’s report with main findings of the process. This report was disseminated to key stakeholders in digital format.

Three short video clips were prepared - one with Greek subtitles, one with Turkish subtitles, and one with English subtitles - to increase public awareness and the Action’s visibility and used in the final event of the IDVEC.

Engagement of local communities was also important to ensure sustainability of the project achievements. Two online “Mosquito Surveillance and Control” training sessions (one in Greek and one in Turkish) were conducted in order to transfer knowledge to health professionals with regards to mosquito surveillance and enhance the sustainability of the project after its completion. The training sessions were open to those interested in mosquito population control and surveillance. The training sessions were attended by all the technical team members as well as representatives from various public and private sectors. A leaflet, titled Protection Measures Against Mosquito Bites was prepared in three languages and has been distributed widely during trainings and other connected events of the project.

The adoption of an intercommunal solution to address the common concern of the communities - mosquito vector of medical importance was the most prominent achievement of this action. This adoption is expected to contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life of local and visiting population of the island. Both communities have increased their knowledge on the mosquito species and distribution, which will support the tailoring of mosquito population control actions. This will enable both communities to prioritize regions prone to higher risks due to the presence of mosquito vector of medical importance in order to intensify measures and address public health issues and concerns.