Establishing Center for Mosquito Control (CMC), cross-border integrated protocols and cooperation to fight climate change induced mosquito infestation in the Croatia-Hungary border area

Overall objective of the project is to set up a Center for Mosquito Control in Osijek and Mosquito Lab in Pécs who will cooperate in prevention and control of mosquito infestation in border area. Project also aims to improve and integrate research capacities allowing adaptive and focused steps against infestation; and to promote sustainable mosquito control, determine size, infection rate and pesticide resistance of invasive mosquito species population, establishment and application of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), reducing toxic chemicals usage in the field of mosquito control, focusing on mosquito reduction in source areas, minimalizing negative impacts on the environment, human health and biodiversity, as well as raising awareness. Project ultimately supports mitigation of climate change impacts, via fighting invasive mosquito species and the appearance of new transmitted diseases in the border area.

Specific objectives include:

-To construct building of Center for Mosquito Control in order to establish organized, comprehensive and systematic solutions for mosquito control that will contribute to improving the quality of life and increasing the quality of health.

-To upgrade Mosquito Lab in to enhance research on mosquito biology, pathogens and vector competence for joint forecasting and early detection.

-To establish joint expert team to exchange knowledge, detect invasive mosquito species and coordinate efforst during outbreaks.

-To develop SIT as a standard mosquito control method supported by protocols for mapping, monitoring, and biological treatments.

-To develop protocols for sterile male mosquito production and software aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of existing control methods and prediction of dynamics and help in better control of number of mosquitoes.

-To educate all stakeholders on sustainable mosquito management, raise awareness of pesticide risks and share best practices with regions still reliant on adulticidal treatments.