The ArboRisk tool was presented at the Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases Network meeting in Stockholm held from 15th to 16th November 2022
In 2013, a dedicated network of National Focal Points (NFPs) from EU/EEA Member States was set up by the Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases (EVD) group at European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), to interact specifically on emerging and vector-borne diseases.
In this regard, Dr Kamil Erguler, Associate Research Scientist of CyI’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) was invited at the 8th EVD network meeting which was organised in Stockholm, Sweden, on 15-16th November 2022 with the nominated NFPs for EVD in order to strengthen the network by sharing experiences. During the meeting Dr. Erguler, presented the interactive risk maps of Aedes-borne viral disease, such as the ArboRisk tool.
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is responsible for the transmission of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, and is continuously expanding its area of establishment in Europe. In order to assist with risk assessment and provide additional evidence to determine triggers of action, strategic timing of intervention, and spatial allocation of public health resources, ECDC commissioned The Cyprus Institute, through the Epiconcept company, to develop a data-driven model-based risk assessment tool.
The ArboRisk tool provides interactive maps of Aedes-borne viral diseases (specifically dengue, chikungunya and Zika) based on the dynamic transmission model developed by Dr Erguler’s team at CARE-C. The tool provides 6-month risk forecasts for all administrative regions in the EU/EEA, and allows running customized simulations with additional vector control and increased public health effectiveness for a selected local area.
