Strengthening mosquito control to manage emerging mosquito-borne diseases.

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile virus infection become increasingly frequent in Europe. These developments require preparedness and coordinated response mechanisms across countries and sectors. Vector control is a central component of public health response, both for containing outbreaks and for reducing the risk of disease emergence. While mosquito control is important, evidence on the cost-effectiveness of most methods remains limited, complicating the design of evidence-based vector management strategies. In addition, the range of authorised vector control products is narrow and increasingly compromised by insecticide resistance. Mosquito control in European countries involves a diverse set of actors, and work on mosquito-borne diseases at European Union level spans several institutions with complementary mandates. Europe should therefore promote cross-sectoral collaboration through a One Health approach that brings together public health, environmental health, veterinary health and urban planning sectors, while engaging communities in mosquito surveillance and control. Continued investment in research to assess the cost-effectiveness, safety and ecological impact of existing and new vector control methods is needed to develop sustainable, science-based, integrated mosquito control strategies that protect public health, animal health and ecosystems. Regulatory clarity and flexibility, for biocidal, non-biocidal and innovative control approaches, would support this effort.