Objectives

The objective of the Action, as described by the Technical Committee, is to:

• Carry out an island-wide survey for native and invasive mosquito vectors throughout dry and wet seasons in regions at higher risk for disease transmission; 

• Develop a vector-borne disease management plan using West-Nile Virus (WNV) surveillance as a model;

• Integrate an early warning system in which mosquitoes will be used to timely predict possible outbreaks of WNV and later other mosquito-borne diseases;

• Enhance local communities' capacity building to identify mosquitoes of medical significance and perform surveillance programs for detecting viruses;

• Further, increase public awareness on prevention and protection measures against mosquito bites and the significance of surveillance;

• Establish the fundamental pillars for integrated vector management (vector and disease surveillance, public outreach and education, quality control and research).

After the Technical Committee on Health’s ID-VEC project, significant knowledge on surveillance network, developing and applying common protocols for surveillance, building a database on mosquito distribution and mapping mosquito distribution was established. Personnel have been trained and now have the know-how required to perform surveillance using different trapping methods. The molecular identification methods were established to an extent as well. A mechanism for Quality Control / Quality Assurance has also been established in collaboration with experienced external expertise. The Action has provided an opportunity to perform for the first-time an island-wide morphological and molecular identification of mosquito species.

As a second phase, to build on the results achieved from the first phase (ID-VEC), with the guidance of the previously obtained data, only female mosquitoes were focused on to determine whether they can act as vectors of viruses (i.e. West Nile virus, a model virus).

Main Actions

Team Formation:

A team of four scientists composed of two groups: Scientists A (1 GC and 1 TC) and Scientists B (1 GC and 1 TC), were formed.  

Scientists A were tasked with: 

• Implementing surveillance by ensuring the traps are assembled and samples are collected in line with a standardized protocol; 

• Transferring of knowledge to health professionals with regards to mosquito surveillance to enhance the sustainability of the Action after its lifespan; 

• Performing morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses; 

• Developing of content for a leaflet for public awareness; 

• Developing content/scripts for videography.

Scientists B were responsible for: 

• Developing protocols for WNV identification and management plans in case of a possible outbreak ;

• Developing a layperson report with risk maps for WNV in collaboration with the International Expert.

Biological / Environmental Science Technicians: A team of one GC technician and one TC technician was formed and were responsible for the placement and collection of traps; preparation of samples for identification; preliminary morphological identification, mosquito counting and sorting; and data entry and sustaining of the database.

International QC/QA Expert Scientist: As there was no existing local capacity in Cyprus, one international expert scientist was contracted for quality control/quality assurance of the Action. This team member looked to conducting quality control at each stage (data collection, analysis and reporting); assisting the local scientists with the development of management plans, including standardized protocols for virus identification; and review and quality control of the report.

Management plans and standardized protocols for mosquito surveillance:

During the ID-VEC, Scientists and Technicians worked closely with the International Quality Control/Quality Assurance Expert Scientist to develop management plans and standardized protocols for mosquito surveillance. To build on this established surveillance network, the technical team initiated the field work with larvae monitoring in both communities for dry and wet seasons. The technical team used various methods and types of traps to ensure scientifically viable collection of samples.

In collaboration with the Quality Control/Quality Assurance Expert Scientist, protocols for identification and management plans in the event of a potential outbreak of WNV were developed, and reports covering the morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses for both dry and wet seasons were completed by September.

The bi-communal technical team visited the Department for Environmental and Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad in Serbia on March 2022. This study visit enhanced capacity of the experts on activities on quality control on mosquito identification and West-Nile Virus detection.  During the visit,  the International Quality Control/Quality Assurance Expert Scientist ensured the technical team received the necessary trainings and field work both in laboratory and on site.

In collaboration with the Quality Control/Quality Assurance Expert Scientist and an International Expert, a risk map for WNV was developed, while maintaining close collaboration and coordination with all technical team members including focal points, scientists, technicians, and other researchers, attending all technical team meetings, project events and trainings, and developing management plans in case of a possible WNV outbreak.

Public awareness and visibility materials:

One core aim of this action was the development of public awareness and visibility materials including production of a short social media video, animation video and a leaflet.

During this reporting period, the Technical Committee, with guidance from the UNDP team, started the production of a short video capturing the activities undertaken during the implementation of the Action. The video has been used as a public awareness material on social media platforms, as well as for press coverage, documentation and archiving.

Both video and animation video scripts were prepared by the technical team and approved by the Technical Committee co-chairs. Taking into account the technical and educational aspects both the video and animation video, have been published on UNDP’s social media channels to increase public awareness. These materials are suitable for life-long learners and university students studying biology and environmental sciences.

A leaflet was prepared in three languages and has been used widely in trainings as well as the final event of the project. This leaflet included topics such as 'how one would contract the West-Nile Virus,' detailing its symptoms, diagnoses and protection.

The final event:

Final event took place at the end of September 2022, with the participation of experts mainly from the health sector from both communities. Dissemination of the IDV-RISK findings ensured knowledge promotion of how surveillance could be implemented and morphological and genetic identification of vectors and viruses for both dry and wet seasons could be conducted. The event stressed on the importance of having a common mosquito surveillance systems for the benefit of both communities.

Both videos and leaflets, including the ones prepared on ID-VEC, were used in the Action’s visibility and in the final event of the IDV-RISK.

Results

During the implementation of this project, although the technical team did not identify West-Nile Virus in the collected samples. Instead a discovery of an invasive mosquito species (Aedes aegypti) was identified in the Larnaca region. This species was identified molecularly, morphologically and even from its specific shape of male genitalia. Aedes aegypti is the primary transmitter of the four viruses that have had the greatest impact on human health, the viruses causing yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika fever.

Identifying this species in an early stage is crucial as this new species is a major concern for both communities and this has shown that both communities need to work closely together to target this invasive species which carry pathogenic viruses as they effect all of Cyprus.  

One of the other results of this action was to increase awareness on West-Nile Virus among the communities, as although not identified in this action, WNV was identified in Cyprus in the past, and the threat from this virus is still viable. The educational materials created within this action will contribute to increase awareness in experts and public.

Like ID-VEC, with IDV-RISK the Greek Cypriot community and Turkish Cypriot community have increased knowledge on the species and mosquito distribution which has helped to focus on an eradication program of the invasive species and also enabled the communities to prioritize the 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.

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