MEMO+ - Monitoring of exotic Aedes mosquitoes in Belgium

Introduction of exotic Aedes mosquito species has been recognized as a potential threat for public health in Europe and also in Belgium. These mosquitoes can be vectors of viruses like chikungunya, dengue and Zika. Therefore, the surveillance of mosquitoes is of paramount importance to prevent or delay as much as possible their introduction and establishment in Belgium.

In order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases due to autochthonous transmission in Belgium, a number of elements need to be in place including:

• a good surveillance of exotic Aedes mosquitoes
• a good surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases
• and an integrated analysis to timely combine and interpret these informations

These elements are of paramount importance and only a good synergy among these elements can ensure to successfully prevent local transmission of mosquito borne diseases.

In this context, the MEMO+ project ensures the monitoring of exotic Aedes mosquitoes in Belgium based on two independent but complementary parts:

1. Passive surveillance (Sciensano): relies on citizen science, based on the MosquitoSurveillance platform (website and App) for the notification of the tiger mosquito by citizens. The surveillance is based on the morphological identification of the mosquito pictures uploaded on the platform.
2. Active surveillance and field activities (ITM): are based on inspections and monitoring of exotic mosquitoes in the field by placing mosquito traps and performing larval collections

This combination of citizen surveillance and active surveillance allows us to early detect the introduction of exotic Aedes mosquitoes, in particular the tiger mosquito, in the whole territory of Belgium.

For questions or more information about the MEMO+ project, contact the project responsible Javiera Rebolledo Romero.