International Workshop at The Cyprus Institute Tackles Climate-Driven Mosquito-Borne Disease Risks in the EMME Region Featured
An international workshop organised by the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute brought together experts from 14 countries to address the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME). With climate change driving the spread of invasive species such as Aedes aegypti, participants focused on new ways to monitor, predict, and reduce risks to public health.
The recent detection of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt has raised concerns for the island and its neighbouring countries, as this mosquito is one of the most efficient carriers of viral diseases, and its establishment in new areas signals serious implications for public health and healthcare systems.
To address this challenge, more than 40 scientists, public health officers, and ecologists gathered at The Cyprus Institute for the second Frontiers in Climate-Sensitive Vector Modelling workshop. Co-organised with the Edmund Mach Foundation and The Cyprus Institute, the event provided a platform for collaboration across disciplines, from climate science and ecology to risk modelling and policy. During the workshop, participants presented new monitoring tools, discussed advanced modelling methods, and worked on ways to turn scientific insights into practical action. The workshop also produced a new regional dataset of mosquito monitoring programmes, helping to identify gaps and strengthen predictive modelling.
To better understand Aedes aegypti’s seasonal patterns, The Cyprus Institute is also leading a monitoring project in Larnaca under the direction of Dr Marco Neira and Dr Eirini Chrysanthou, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Joint Services Health Unit of the British Forces.
Τhe event highlighted the pivotal role of CARE-C and The Cyprus Institute in advancing science at the intersection of climate and public health. By fostering collaboration among international researchers, public health authorities, and policymakers, the workshop laid the groundwork for long-term partnerships and practical solutions to mitigate mosquito-borne disease risks throughout the EMME region.
The second Frontiers in Climate-Sensitive Vector Modelling workshop (www.vectormodelling.com/Nicosia2025) was funded through the VEClim project (veclim.com) by the Wellcome Trust, through the EMME-CARE project (emme-care.cyi.ac.cy) by the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus, through the IFTAMED project (cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101106664) by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and directly by the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD).
For further information please contact:
- Dr Kamil Erguler (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Research Scientist at CARE-C, The Cyprus Institute
- Dr Daniele Da Re (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, Edmund Mach Foundation
