This week James Cook University (JCU) faculty have joined forces with Pacific health representatives from 16 countries in Honiara, Solomon Islands, for the 2025 Pacific Mosquito Surveillance Strengthening for Impact (PacMOSSI) practical workshop.
A dengue outbreak across the Pacific earlier this year hit thousands hard and tragically took lives, showing the danger that mosquitoes pose to the region.
Hosted in partnership with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, this training brought together health inspectors, environmental health officers and other experts from across the region to build hands-on skills to tackle the deadly Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit dengue, chikungunya and zika.
Participants engaged in activities in the classroom, the laboratory and at field sites – learning to catch, identify and analyse mosquitoes – and then apply the information to design control strategies.
The workshop is being delivered by PacMOSSI faculty from JCU in Cairns, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Institut Pasteur New Caledonia in Noumea and the Solomon Islands National University in Honiara.
Dr Nemia Bainivalu, Deputy Secretary Health Improvement from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services said this week's workshop titled Aedes Surveillance for Action is both timely and vital.
"Across the Pacific and globally, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya are re-emerging threats; intensified by climate change, rapid urbanisation, increased human mobility, and changing rainfall patterns," he said.
"We thank all our funders and technical partners for their continued collaboration, leadership, and expertise.
"This partnership demonstrates how science, cooperation, and solidarity can come together to strengthen regional health security."
PacMOSSI also acknowledges the leadership of Mr Albino Bobogare and Mr Charles Butafa from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme and Dr Hugo Bugoro and Dr Edgar Pollard from Solomon Islands National University for their partnership and coordination in hosting this event.
PacMOSSI is supported by the Australian Government through Partnerships for a Healthy Region, the French Government, the New Zealand Government and the European Union through the Pacific Community (SPC). Their ongoing support enables collaboration and knowledge sharing to strengthen mosquito surveillance.
