Speaker
Description
Mosquito-borne diseases continue to be a major public health concern. Globally, about 700 million people are infected with mosquito-borne pathogens. In Ghana, many households are affected by mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, filariasis, dengue fever, and yellow fever. These diseases pose a significant burden on the healthcare system in Ghana. The diversity of mosquito species in Ghana, coupled with their vector capacity and host preferences in different ecological settings, creates a complex challenge that stresses control efforts. Furthermore, climate change and human behaviour have influenced mosquito migration and transmission dynamics, increasing the potential risks for novel disease outbreaks. In line with this, the present study sought to establish a comprehensive understanding of the distribution and associated public health risks of novel mosquito-borne arboviruses in Ghanaian communities. A total of 6,789 various mosquito species were collected from eight districts in Western North and Ahafo Region, using four sampling methods combined. Samples were identified using mosquito identification keys and stored at -80 degrees for screening of viral pathogens. This research uses Real-Time PCR and Next-generation sequencing to identify viral pathogens circulating in Ghana. By investigating the distribution of mosquito pathogens, we create risk maps to identify hotspots for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks, while providing information on factors driving arbovirus transmission in Ghanaian communities for targeted interventions and aid in establishing a robust surveillance system to detect mosquito-borne viruses.