Meeting Report on an Integrated Research Agenda for Mosquito-Borne Arboviruses - Report - MDSpire

Meeting Report on an Integrated Research Agenda for Mosquito-Borne Arboviruses

  • By

  • Angela K Ulrich

  • Nicolina M Moua

  • Alison Mack

  • Natsuko Imai-Eaton

  • J Erin Staples

  • Angela J Mehr

  • Julia T Ostrowsky

  • Tabitha Leighton

  • Ana Cehovin

  • Petra C Fay

  • Josephine P Golding

  • Emma Maynard

  • Luke Alphey

  • Diana P Rojas Alvarez

  • Lark L Coffey

  • Nuno R Faria

  • Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas

  • Kevin Maringer

  • Kris A Murray

  • Henrik Salje

  • Rosemary Sang

  • Pedro F C Vasconcelos

  • Yee-Sin Leo

  • Steven P Sinkins

  • Jocelyne Neto de Vasconcelos

  • Samuel K Dadzie

  • Eva Harris

  • Thais H dos Santos

  • Raman Velayudhan

  • Jurai Wongsawat

  • Michael T Osterholm

  • Eve M Lackritz

  • July 9, 2025

  • 0 min

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Collaborative Research Framework for Mosquito-Borne Arboviruses

Overview

Mosquito-borne arboviruses (MBVs) are rapidly expanding global health threats driven by ecological, economic, and social factors. A 2023 expert meeting identified priority research areas focusing on epidemiology, surveillance, viral evolution, and integrated control strategies to improve preparedness and response.

Background

Over the past two decades, outbreaks of MBVs such as Dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika have increased in frequency, intensity, and geographic spread. Factors like climate change, urbanization, global travel, and inadequate vector control have facilitated this expansion. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are primary vectors responsible for large outbreaks causing significant morbidity and mortality. The Wellcome Trust and CIDRAP convened global experts to develop a multipathogen research agenda addressing these challenges.

Data Highlights

VirusReported CasesYearRegion
Dengue500,0002000Global
Dengue5.2 million2019Global
Dengue12.7 million2024 (Nov)Americas
Dengue4.3 million2023Americas
Yellow FeverReported in 34 countries2023Africa
Yellow FeverReported in 13 countries2023South America

Key Findings

  • MBV outbreaks have escalated in frequency, intensity, and geographic distribution over the past 20 years.
  • Dengue cases increased from 500,000 in 2000 to over 5 million in 2019 globally, with a record 12.7 million cases in the Americas by November 2024.
  • Yellow fever outbreaks have intensified and spread to new areas despite vaccine availability, with cases reported in multiple African and South American countries.
  • Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are primary vectors driving MBV transmission and expansion.
  • Multiple ecological, economic, and social factors including climate change, urbanization, and inadequate vector control contribute to MBV emergence.
  • An integrated multipathogen research agenda emphasizing surveillance, viral evolution, and social-ecological factors is critical for epidemic preparedness and response.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians and public health professionals should be aware of the expanding geographic risk of MBV diseases and the increasing incidence, particularly of Dengue and yellow fever. Enhanced surveillance and early detection strategies are essential to identify outbreaks promptly. Integrated vector control and vaccination efforts, alongside addressing social determinants, are vital to reduce disease burden.

Conclusion

The growing global threat of mosquito-borne arboviruses necessitates coordinated research and policy efforts focused on integrated surveillance, vector control, and understanding viral evolution. A multipathogen approach addressing ecological and social drivers will improve preparedness and response to future MBV epidemics.

References

  1. Wellcome Trust & CIDRAP 2023 -- An integrated approach to mosquito-borne arboviruses: a priority research agenda

Original Source(s)

Meeting Report on an Integrated Research Agenda for Mosquito-Borne Arboviruses

  • by Angela K Ulrich, Nicolina M Moua, Alison Mack, Natsuko Imai-Eaton, J Erin Staples, Angela J Mehr, Julia T Ostrowsky, Tabitha Leighton, Ana Cehovin, Petra C Fay, Josephine P Golding, Emma Maynard, Luke Alphey, Diana P Rojas Alvarez, Lark L Coffey, Nuno R Faria, Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas, Kevin Maringer, Kris A Murray, Henrik Salje, Rosemary Sang, Pedro F C Vasconcelos, Yee-Sin Leo, Steven P Sinkins, Jocelyne Neto de Vasconcelos, Samuel K Dadzie, Eva Harris, Thais H dos Santos, Raman Velayudhan, Jurai Wongsawat, Michael T Osterholm, Eve M Lackritz

  • July 9, 2025

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