The Role of Mosquito Surveillance in Monitoring Arboviral Infections in Croatia

U skladu s uočenim trendom porasta broja slučajeva zaraznih bolesti koje se prenose vektorima, dolazi do povećanja razmjera javnozdravstvenog problema, no s druge strane i do jačanja kapaciteta u svrhu suzbijanja navedenih bolesti. S ciljem zaštite populacije od arbovirusnih infekcija nameće se potreba za kontinuiranom provedbom praćenja i procjenom rizika utjecaja vektora i vektorskih bolesti na zdravlje, za što je neophodno prikupljanje podataka kroz programe praćenja. U problematici zaraznih bolesti koje se prenose vektorima potrebno je integrirano obuhvatiti aktivnosti koje se odnose na nadzor nad vektorima, entomološke djelatnosti, sustav ranog otkrivanja, preventivno suzbijanje, protuepidemijske mjere te praćenja prisutnosti virusa u vektorima, rezervoarima ili zaraženim životinjama. U Hrvatskoj je zakonom propisano praćenje komaraca na lokalnoj i na državnoj razini te je na inicijativu Hrvatskog zavoda za javno zdravstvo uspostavljen monitoring invazivnih vrsta komaraca koji se kontinuirano provodi od 2016. godine.In accordance with the noticed growing trend in the number of vector-borne disease cases, the extent of public health significance of this problem is also increasing. However, the strengthening of capacities for suppression of these outbreaks is present. With the aim of protecting population from arbovirus infections, there is a need for continuous monitoring and evaluation of risk factors related to vectors and vector borne diseases and human health, for which data is acquired through monitoring programs. In order to address these issues, several activities must be integrated and taken into consideration: vector surveillance, entomological activity, early detection system, preventive measures, counter-epidemic measures and virus detection in vectors, reservoirs or infected animals. There is a legal framework regarding mosquito monitoring on a local, as well as national level. Additionally, at the initiative of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, invasive mosquito species monitoring is being implemented and continuously conducted since 2016