Sandra Gewehr’s presents the new EMCA guidelines at the 23rd E-SOVE Conference – Montpellier, France 12/10-17/10/2024
In a significant stride for public health and environmental sustainability, Sandra Gewehr, President of the European Mosquito Control Association (EMCA) and Head of its Working Group “Best Practices,” presented significant research at the 23rd European Society for Vector Ecology (E-SOVE) Conference. Held in Montpellier, the renowned event brought together experts from across Europe and beyond, to discuss innovations in vector ecology and control.
Introducing “Guidelines for Mosquito Control in Built-Up Areas in Europe”
Gewehr’s poster, titled “Guidelines for Mosquito Control in Built-Up Areas in Europe,” represents the synopsis of extensive work performed by the Best Practices Working Group within the EMCA. Supported by TDR (the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases), and aligned with the norms and standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), these guidelines provide an essential framework for implementing effective and sustainable mosquito control in urban environments.
The development of these guidelines was a collaborative process involving three distinct expert teams: the Scientific Research Team (SRT), the Guidelines Development Group (GDG), and the External Review Team (ERT). Together, these groups employed rigorous methodologies to ensure the guidelines met the highest scientific standards.
A Milestone in Collaborative Research
Sandra Gewehr’s presentation at E-SOVE underscored the significance of international collaboration. The guidelines demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of mosquito proliferation in densely populated areas, highlighting methods that prioritize both effectiveness and environmental safety.
The endorsement of these guidelines by WHO and their development under TDR support add significant credibility, positioning them as a benchmark for future strategies in vector management. The next steps involve widespread dissemination of these practices across member states and training for local agencies to adopt these recommendations effectively.
