In a recent study conducted in Brazil by researchers from the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, the E4Warning project successfully deployed smart traps with the VECTRACK sensor developed by IRIDEON, to improve mosquito surveillance in urban settings. These smart traps, equipped with AI and IoT technologies, have been tested in two Brazilian cities—Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia—where they demonstrated high accuracy in identifying mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, both key vectors for diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
Over a year of field testing, the traps showed a remarkable 99.8% accuracy in distinguishing target mosquito species from other insects and a 93.7% accuracy in differentiating between the two genera of mosquitoes. The smart traps collected data on 9,151 insect flights, of which 1,383 were mosquito vectors.
These findings indicate the potential of the E4Warning tool to provide real-time monitoring and classification of mosquitoes in areas with high vector-borne disease risks: by the end of September 2024, over 9.5 million dengue cases had been reported in Brazil. In this context, the data gathered from the smart traps could be instrumental in aiding public health authorities to make timely interventions, such as targeted vector control measures, enhancing the preparedness and response to mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. The successful implementation of the IRIDEON smart traps in Brazil showcases how cutting-edge technologies can revolutionize mosquito surveillance, making it faster, more accurate, and less reliant on manual labor.
The paper has been published in the Parasite & Vector journal: Njaime, F.C.B.F.P., Máspero, R.C., Leandro, A.d., Maciel-de-Freitas, R. Automated classification of mixed populations of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes under field conditions. Parasites Vectors17, 399 (2024).
Scatter plot and linear regression of sensor count versus manual count for AAedes aegypti and BCulex quinquefasciatus per mosquito gender showing the regression line equation (slope and y-intercept) and coefficient of determination. Image credit: Njaime. et al. 2024. Automated classification of mixed populations of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes under field conditions. Parasites & Vectors 17, 399.
During the summer of 2024, project partners in Spain and Germany have been actively tagging birds with bio-loggers at key study sites to monitor their local and regional movements. Understanding bird movements and space usage during mosquito season is essential, as birds are the primary reservoirs for West Nile Virus (WNV). This project focuses on quantifying the mobility of key reservoir species, filling a crucial gap in current research by examining the local movement and dispersal patterns of resident bird species. Unlike the more extensively studied migratory birds, resident birds’ space usage near human settlements has been less explored. By gathering empirical data on these local movements, we aim to enhance our understanding of how resident bird populations contribute to virus transmission in areas close to human activity.
Fieldwork involves capturing and tagging various bird species with bio-loggers provided by the Max Planck Institute (MPI). For smaller bird species, such as blackbirds (Turdus merula) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), we are using bio-logging devices developed by MPI that operate with SigFox technology. Although the SigFox IoT network offers lower spatial accuracy compared to satellite navigation, it supports the creation of particularly small devices thanks to the network’s low power demands requiring fewer electronic components. This allows tracking of smaller species with minimal impact on their natural behaviour. This innovative technology also allows for near real-time tracking and data transmission to the MovBank platform, making it ideal for monitoring the movements of these smaller species across different environments.
The data collected from these birds will be compared with similar data from other study sites within the project during the next years, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of the potential WNV transmission dynamics across various landscapes. In addition to blackbirds and starlings, other species being tagged include mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), pigeons (Columba livia), and either western marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus) or northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis). The capture and tagging process began in June 2024 and will continue until September 2024, providing valuable insights into how these birds move through different landscapes and potentially contribute to the spread of WNV.
In our ongoing efforts to enhance mosquito surveillance and early warning systems, the E4Warning consortium is leveraging innovative technologies, including the improvement of the IRIDEON SL smart-traps. These smart-traps are designed to automate and improve the efficiency of mosquito monitoring, addressing the challenges faced by traditional methods.
Overcoming Traditional Surveillance Challenges
Traditional mosquito surveillance methods are costly and time-consuming, requiring significant professional resources for trap placement, sample collection, and laboratory analysis. Additionally, there is an inevitable time lag between placing traps and collecting samples, which can lead to inaccurate and untimely monitoring of mosquito populations.
The IRIDEON smart traps are off-the-shelf commercial suction traps equipped with the VECTRACK optoelectronic sensor prototype developed by IRIDEON SL in Barcelona. These sensors are capable of distinguishing between mosquito species, sex, and age under both laboratory and field conditions. The VECTRACK sensor includes an emitter, an array of LEDs, and photo-transistors acting as photoreceptors, all working together to create a light field. When a mosquito is drawn into the trap, its wing flapping modulates the light field, generating a species-specific signature. This signature is processed using AI methods, including rule-based systems, genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks, and fuzzy models, to classify the mosquito by genus, species, sex, and age.
Each VECTRACK recording includes GPS coordinates, date and time of capture, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. Every 30 minutes, the field sensor transmits data batches to the server via the mobile phone network. The server then classifies each mosquito event, providing detailed and accurate data on mosquito populations in real-time. This automation reduces the need for manual intervention and enables continuous monitoring.
Diagram of the automated mosquito surveillance system developed by IRIDEON, featuring the VECTRACK sensor integrated into a mosquito commercial trap and connected to the server via IoT.
Field Performance and Global Testing
The VECTRACK sensor has demonstrated its effectiveness in real-world scenarios, achieving high accuracy in field trials conducted in Spain. In El Prat de Llobregat (2021) and Rubí (2022), the sensor achieved 95.5% accuracy in species detection and 88.8% accuracy in classifying the genus and sex of mosquitoes. Check the work performed by Gozález-Pérez et al.: Field evaluation of an automated mosquito surveillance system which classifies Aedes and Culex mosquitoes by genus and sex. Parasites Vectors17, 97 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06177-w
Installation of a VECTRACK sensor on a mosquito trap, powered by a solar panel, situated in the middle of a rice field in Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Spain.
Ongoing Field Tests Under E4Warning
The E4Warning project is testing the efficacy of the IRIDEON smart-traps under various conditions:
Spain (Barcelona): VECTRACK sensors are deployed at five strategic monitoring sites across the city, focusing on Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus. Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona – ASPB
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia): Field trials with local populations of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus in collaboration with Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz)
Spain (Girona): Testing in non-urban environments like the Botanical Garden of Blanes and Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, where diverse mosquito species are present. CSIC
Greece (Athens): Planned deployment in the Attica region, focusing on critical points of entry for Aedes aegypti and areas of significant vector importance. Benaki Phytopathological Institute
To learn more about IRIDEON smart-traps refer to:
González-Pérez, M.I., Faulhaber, B., Aranda, C. et al. Field evaluation of an automated mosquito surveillance system which classifies Aedes and Culex mosquitoes by genus and sex. Parasites Vectors17, 97 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06177-w
González-Pérez MI, Faulhaber B, Williams M, Brosa J, Aranda C, Pujol N, et al. A novel optical sensor system for the automatic classification of mosquitoes by genus and sex with high levels of accuracy. Parasit Vectors. 2022;15:190. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05324-5.
During the E4Warning project, we are employing various methods to collect blood-engorged female mosquitoes to study their feeding patterns. The techniques include carbon-dioxide-baited BG-traps, mechanical aspiration with a powered vacuum aspirator, and artificial resting sites. Sampling began in April 2024 and will continue monthly until November 2024 for this year.
From June 10-15, we hosted Dr. Nathan Burkett-Cadena and Tanise Steen from the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, at our study area in Aiguamolls de l’Empordà (Girona, Spain). Their visit aimed to test these collection techniques and share their expertise. They brought vacuum aspirators and resting traps developed by their lab to evaluate their combined efficacy in capturing blood-fed female mosquitoes across different habitats.
The Florida researchers developed human-powered resting traps designed for cavity-resting mosquitoes like Culex. These traps, set among vegetation in dark areas, attract mosquitoes seeking refuge during the day. Traps are placed horizontally to attract Culex and vertically to attract Anopheles mosquitoes and are collected the following day.
To maximize mosquito collection, we combined resting shelter traps and BG-traps with a large-diameter aspirator. These aspirators, designed by Dr. Burkett-Cadena’s team, use an automotive radiator fan to create directional airflow, capturing mosquitoes in a mesh-bottom plastic collection cup.
The insights gained during this visit and throughout the 2024 mosquito season will help finalize protocols for capturing blood-fed females, aiding in our study of mosquito feeding patterns.
In April, Frederic Bartumeus and Alex Richter-Boix, members of the CSIC and Mosquito Alert team had the opportunity to participate in the WSA Global Congress held in the region of Los Lagos, Southern Chile, as winners of the WSG 2023.
At the congress, the team presented the Mosquito Alert tool developed by CSIC and UPF, an integral part of the E4Warning project aimed at enhancing the capabilities of monitoring and managing vectors and mosquito-borne diseases. Over recent years, the tool has proven its effectiveness and impact by detecting the early presence of invasive mosquitoes –like the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus– that can act as vectors, as well as capturing and modelling the dynamics of their populations, contributing to improving the management of mosquitoes in cities like Barcelona, Spain, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Barcelona (ASPB) which are also partners of E4Warning.
The theme of this year’s WSA Congress, “planet_hack_,” was aptly chosen to highlight the urgent need to address climate change and the expanding opportunities for technological and environmental innovations that accompany this challenge. Participation in the event allowed to not only share the achievements and the impacts of the Mosquito Alert tool but also to engage with other innovators, fostering a network of contacts.
The congress was a celebration of impact entrepreneurship, aligning perfectly with the UN’s global goals and providing a platform for like-minded pioneers to connect and exchange ideas. The team returned energized, ready to build on the substantial progress already made in public health surveillance and excited about the promising new collaborations that arose from this inspiring event.
We are thrilled to announce that the E4Warning project will be participating in an upcoming webinar on May 21st, 2024, at 11 AM CET entitled: Citizen Science in Environmental Observations and Health Research. This webinar will explore innovative engagement strategies within Citizen Science initiatives and the impactful use of Mobile Applications, in collaboration with the OneAquaHealth project and Wise Angle Consulting S.L.
During this session, we will exchange experiences and insights on successful citizen engagement techniques. The first segment of the webinar will highlight citizen science approaches, featuring presentations from OneAquaHealth, DRYvER, and our very own E4WARNING project. We will delve into our collective experiences involving citizens, and the results obtained in Europe.
In the latter half of the webinar, we will concentrate on mobile apps as digitial solution, where the creators of Pharaon and Invasoras.pt Apps will offer a deep dive into the common challenges encountered while promoting these apps and designing them with a user-centric approach.
We are excited to share our journey and learn from our peers in this collaborative setting. Join us as we discuss, learn, and pave the way forward in the integration of community-driven science and technology for the betterment of environmental and health research.
Eva Veronesi (SUPSI) attended the 6th International Workshop on Aedes albopictus in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from March 28-29, 2024. Organized by the Institute Pasteur of Cambodia, the workshop was led by Dr. Sébastien Boyer (head of the Medical and Veterinary Entomology Unit at the Institute). The opening session was presided over by Prof. André Spiegel, Director of the Institute Pasteur of Cambodia, with the presence of Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health of Cambodia, Mr. Jacques Pellet, Ambassador of France to Cambodia, and Dr. Boyer, who delivered the introductory talk.
The Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the tiger mosquito, is a principal carrier of Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika, and at least 20 other significant pathogens impacting public health. Originating from the tropical and subtropical zones of Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito has expanded its reach globally over the last century, facilitated by international trade and travel. Distinguished by distinctive white stripes on its legs and body, the species has adapted well to human environments. As a considerable nuisance, the tiger mosquito typically resides close to human habitats and is known for its daytime biting behavior, especially during early morning and late afternoon periods.
The event was focused on enhancing scientific collaboration and showing innovative vector control strategies. Key research topics covered included vector models of invasion and dispersal, and the role of the species as a bridge vector, including the influence of climate change on vector behavior. For that, the workshop unfolded five sessions:
Aedes albopictus in Asia.
Biology and Ecology of Aedes albopictus.
Vector control: challenges and innovations.
Vector control: insecticide resistance.
New surveillance strategies.
It was during the session on innovative surveillance strategies that E4Warning was spotlighted. The presentation titled “The Role of E4Warning in Combating the Spread of Dengue in Asia and its Potential Incursion into Europe” by Eva Veronesi showcased to the audience the surveillance tools involved in the project, such as Mosquito Alert (CSIC, UPF), VECMAP (AVIA-GIS) and the smart traps designed by IRIDEON. Additionally, it highlighted the dengue models developed by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) and HR Wallingford.
The Mosquito Alert tool, which is used in the E4Warning project and was developed by several consortium partners, has received international recognition at the WSA 2023. This award is given to digital solutions that contribute significantly to creating healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive urban environments.
The WSA awards, which were established within the framework of the United Nations World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS), aim to identify and promote digital innovations that positively impact society and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Out of 466 submissions from 88 countries, Mosquito Alert has been selected as one of the top 40 digital initiatives across eight different categories. This achievement highlights the effectiveness and relevance of the platform in addressing critical issues related to public health and environmental sustainability.
As part of this honor, the Mosquito Alert team will be joining other winners at the WSA World Congress 2024, which is scheduled from April 14 to 17 in the Chilean Patagonia. This event offers invaluable opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration, further amplifying the impact of each project’s technological solutions on a global scale.
Mosquito Alert is an initiative that engages the public in monitoring vector mosquitoes and studying the spread of invasive mosquito species. It is a “citizen observatory” coordinated by Spanish research institutions, including CSIC, UPF, and CREAF. This groundbreaking program aims to transform the traditional methods of mosquito surveillance by promoting citizen participation and the adoption of new technologies.
Mosquito Alert is supported by an extensive network of entomology and public health experts. It demonstrates the power of collaboration in addressing global health challenges. By empowering communities and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the platform not only revolutionizes disease surveillance but also drives innovation in the management and prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses.
The Mosquito Alert platform plays a pivotal role in Work Package 2 (WP2) of the E4Warning project. WP2’s primary objective is to enhance the accuracy of AI-based mosquito image classification, thereby enabling the development of a real-time early warning system that can identify invasive species across multiple study sites of the E4Warning project. The proposed real-time early warning system will enable effective identification and monitoring of invasive mosquito species across different geographies, thereby bolstering the E4Warning project’s broader research efforts in this domain.
E4Warning participated in the high-level conference “Research Perspectives on the Health Impacts of Climate Change,” organized by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) of the European Commission. This event, held in Brussels on February 19th and 20th, 2024, aimed to highlight the crucial nexus between climate change and global health issues.
Chloe Fletcher, a PhD candidate from the Global Health Resilience group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), attended the conference. Her research focuses on developing statistical models for predicting outbreaks of climate-sensitive infectious diseases, such as dengue and leptospirosis. Fletcher presented a poster titled “A Generalized Modelling Framework for Dengue Early Warning Systems in South and Southeast Asia,” a collaborative effort involving Ramy Hoek Spaans (BSC), Sophie Belman (BSC), Chloe Fletcher (BSC), Quillon Harpham (HRW), Gina Tsarouchi (HRW), and Rachel Lowe (BSC), all contributing to the E4Warning project.
This study aims to broaden the successful application of the Dengue Forecasting Model Satellite-based System (D-MOSS), originally implemented in Vietnam, to include Sri Lanka and Malaysia. By employing a Bayesian modeling approach and contrasting it with the conventional practices of dengue outbreak monitoring in each nation, the research seeks to identify which dengue predictors remain consistent or vary across these diverse regions.
The goal is to establish a universally applicable template for developing dengue early warning systems. The D-MOSS platform, which underpins this forecasting system, is managed by HR Wallingford. A key ambition of E4Warning is to collaborate intimately with local partners to deliver actionable data visualizations, thereby enabling an informed, data-driven approach to dengue management.
You can view the summaries of other posters presented during the conference at this link.
In November, Kamran Safi from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior visited the CEAB-CSIC team leaded by Frederic Bartumeus and the Girona study area: the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park. This visit was instrumental in familiarizing with the study area and engaging with local stakeholders: the park staff, regional mosquito control officials, and local ornithologists.
The meeting facilitated the selection of five common and abundant bird species present across various study zones for tracking their mobility patterns using GPS or Sigfox biologging. While bird migration and mobility have been studied on large scales, there’s limited data on the daily mobility of resident species and the impact of the landscape on their movements. Understanding these aspects is vital to determine the role different species play in transmitting pathogens like the West Nile virus across areas, such as from marshes or rice fields to peri-urban or urban zones.
Wild birds, being primary hosts of the virus, play a crucial role in its spread, thereby shaping the epidemiology of the disease. Assessing how they connect habitats and transfer pathogens is particularly crucial in human-altered landscapes where pathogen spillover between birds and humans can be facilitated. The lack of detailed information in the dissemination process of zoonotic pathogens undermines risk assessments and management plans. A key goal of WP5 is to quantify the mobility of various host species to develop a spatially-explicit approach to wildlife epidemiology.
