Mosquito-borne diseases kill more than one million people and infect up to 700 million every year, particularly in tropical regions, such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, climate change has prolonged mosquito seasons and expanded their geographic reach, exacerbating infections and the emergence of cases in previously unaffected areas in Europe and southern Australia. These diseases include dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, and Rift Valley fever. However, the global understanding of available data ecosystems on mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs), as well as the effects of co-circulating virus species on disease burden, immune response, and clinical presentation, remains limited. Mapping this data landscape is crucial for predicting outbreaks and informing prevention strategies.
To address these gaps, a meeting and workshop were held on July 9–10, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, attended by Marsha Santoso from EHI. The event aimed to raise awareness of the global MBV data ecosystem, improve access to data and tools, and identify research gaps, barriers, and opportunities for collaboration. The event featured a keynote by Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, Head of the WHO Arbovirus Team, highlighting the imbalance in data and funding, where dengue research is far more represented compared to other arboviruses. A panel discussion emphasized the importance of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and CARE (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, Ethics) principles, especially when working with indigenous and marginalized communities. The event concluded with both in-person and virtual workshops, equipping participants with up-to-date global insights, stronger epidemiological data analysis skills, and valuable networking opportunities with MBV and international health experts from diverse institutions and countries. EHI believes these will contribute significantly to future collaborations and enhanced global preparedness.
