Towards harmonisation of entomological surveillance in the Mediterranean area.

Background: The Mediterranean Basin is historically a hotspot for trade, transport, and migration. As a result, countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea share common public health threats. Among them are vector-borne diseases, and in particular, mosquito-borne viral diseases are prime candidates as (re)emerging diseases and are likely to spread across the area.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis among Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Introduction: Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases within the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Region. The conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic generated large population movements and raised concerns about spreading of CL to countries where Syrians have relocated, including Jordan.

Methods: A review of electronic and paper-based registries of CL cases in Jordan was conducted to assess burden of disease and associated socio-demographic factors.

Identification of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): an external quality assessment of medical entomology laboratories in the MediLabSecure Network.

Background: Identification of vectors is of prime importance in the field of medical entomology for both operational and research purposes. An external quality assessment of mosquito identification capacities was carried out within the MediLabSecure Network, which is composed of laboratories located in 19 countries close to the European Union around the Mediterranean and Black seas.

Methods: A set of blind samples consisting of 7 or 8 adult mosquitoes and 4 larvae was given to each participant laboratory.

Leishmania major cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak in the Jordanian side of the Northern Jordan Valley.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in many foci of Jordan and the Jordanian Mid Jordan Valley (JMJV) is the most affected and the incidence is quite high. The situation in the northern part of the Jordanian side of the Jordan Valley (NJJV) was different; before 2008, CL has rarely been reported from this area. From April 2008 to May 2009, passive detection followed by active detection was used to trace cases of CL from the NJJV.

First Record of Aedes albopictus in Jordan.

The presence of Aedes albopictus in Jordan is reported for the 1st time based on collections of larvae and adults from 7 sites representing 3 governorates (Irbid, Ajloun, and Balqa). Adults were recovered from around houses, while larvae were collected from concrete reservoirs, water tanks for irrigation, small containers, and water barrels. Larvae of Ae.

Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network.

Purpose Of Review: Arboviruses, viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, and fleas are a significant threat to public health because of their epidemic and zoonotic potential. The geographical distribution of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile (WN), Rift Valley fever (RVF), Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika has expanded over the last decades. Countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are not spared.