SURVEILLANCE & MONITORING
Surveillance and control of Culex and Aedes invasive mosquitoes in Europe
The samples are analysed by AGES. For the City of Vienna the University of Veterinary Medicine is responsible. In the UK local authorities implement surveillance, coordinated by UKHSA
Operational overview of Aedes invasive mosquito surveillance
The Aedes invasive mosquito surveillance activities focus primarily on the presence and absence of the vector species. Vector surveillance is also implemented to assess mosquito abundance and seasonality (Table). The main objectives of the surveillance are the prevention of establishment after introduction (12/20 countries) and the assessment of the level, place or time of transmission risk (10/20 countries) (Table).
Table 10. Indicators assessed by the Aedes invasive mosquito surveillance activities (multiple answers possible) (n = 20)
IndicatorNumber of countries
Mosquito presence/absence19
Mosquito abundance11
Mosquito seasonality14
Mosquito infection rate and xenomonitoring6
Mosquito behavioural traits4
Insecticide/biocide resistance5
Don't know / NA1
None0
Other1
Table 11. The objectives of the Aedes invasive mosquito surveillance (multiple answers possible) (n = 20)
ObjectiveNumber of countries
Prevention of establishment after introduction of exotic mosquito species12
Assessment of level, place and/or time of transmission risk10
Assessment of nuisance levels9
Investigation of outbreaks7
Assess quality/efficiency of mosquito control intervention7
Don't know / NA1
Other3
For the prevention of establishment after introduction of exotic mosquito species, eight countries rely on both active and passive surveillance (Table). This surveillance objective is implemented country-wide in eight out of the 20 countries. The assessment of level, place or time of transmission risk is based on active or a combination of active and passive surveillance (Table). The reasons for the implementation of surveillance in only certain parts of the country are because surveillance focuses on point of entry, that resources are limited both human capacity as financial allocations, or that the surveillance is a regional competence.
Table 12. What type of Aedes invasive mosquito surveillance is implemented in your country for the objectives listed below? (n = 20)
Surveillance objectiveActivePassiveActive and PassiveNoneDon't know /NA
Prevention of establishment after introduction of exotic mosquito species42860
Assessment of level, place and/or time of transmission risk70661
Assessment of nuisance levels33581
Investigation of outbreaks413102
Assess quality/efficiency of mosquito control intervention611102
Ten countries report that the funding of the active surveillance linked to the objective 'Prevention of establishment after introduction of exotic mosquito species' is embedded in a long term (> 3 yr) strategy of disease risk assessment and control (Table). In seven countries the 'Assessment of level, place and/or time of transmission risk' is linked to long-term funding. Many respondents did not know the funding mechanism related to passive surveillance. Both long-term and project-based funding mechanisms are available for passive surveillance.