A research and InNOvation Partnership for enhancing the surveillance and control of mosquito VECtors of emerging arboviruses (Inovec)

Over the past 10 years, arboviral diseases, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever, have (re)emerged with increasing prevalence and severity. Although these arboviral diseases are more prevalent in tropical countries, increasing numbers of autochthonous cases are being reported from European countries, at least partly due to climatic changes. This raises concerns about the potential for the establishment of these pathogens in temperate regions. In the absence of effective vaccines and treatments, preventing these diseases at the global scale continues to depend largely on controlling mosquito vector populations, interrupting human-vector contact or both. Unfortunately, the recent resurgence of Aedes-transmitted arboviral diseases in Europe and worldwide highlights the limitations of current vector control to prevent epidemics and to reduce the incidence of diseases. New, affordable, scalable and community-based vector control measures are urgently needed to prevent the introduction, spread and establishment of Aedes-borne diseases in Europe and beyond.

The INOVEC project proposes to build a large pan-European, cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary network to develop, optimize and promote integrated approaches and innovative tools for the surveillance and control of mosquito vectors of emerging arboviruses. INOVEC will stimulate basic and applied research, strengthen capacities, promote career development and facilitate knowledge and technology transfer to countries at increasing risk of arboviral diseases.

INOVEC has the commitment to coordinate and integrate sectors in order to maximize impact, raise awareness of policy makers and stakeholders, and participate in the improvement of innovation potential at the European and global level.