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.

The XI International Conference of the EMCA, held from November 7th to 10th, 2023, in Palma de Mallorca, served as a gathering for vector control specialists to share research and insights. With the theme “Shaping the Future of Vector Control in Europe,” the conference was organized by Dr. Francis Schaffner, president of EMCA, along with Dr. Carlos Barceló and Prof. Miguel A. Miranda from the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). Among the highlights was E4Warning’s presentation on their Mark-Release-Recapture (MRR) experiments with Culex pipiens mosquitoes.

Eva Veronesi from SUPSI discussed the developed protocol for breeding, marking, and recapturing these mosquitoes and shared preliminary results from two pilot studies conducted in Switzerland last September. These studies are vital for understanding mosquito behavior and movement, key factors in vector-borne disease control.

The MRR technique, a fundamental method in ecological studies, involves capturing, marking, and releasing individuals back into their environment, then recapturing them after a period. This technique provides insights into movement patterns, survival rates, and population sizes, crucial for ecological and epidemiological studies.

In the summer of 2024, these methodologies will be applied in Switzerland and Spain to study the dispersal capacity of Culex mosquitoes, especially Culex pipiens and Culex molestus, which are known for transmitting the West Nile Virus (WNV).

These experiments are part of Work Package 5 (WP5) in the E4Warning project, which focuses on quantifying and understanding the movements of both vectors (mosquitoes) and hosts (birds) in WNV transmission. The data obtained will be instrumental in developing strategies to control WNV in Europe.

Additionally, the conference served as a valuable meeting point for various partners involved in the E4Warning project. This opportunity for face-to-face interaction and collaboration among researchers and specialists was crucial for fostering synergy and advancing the project’s objectives. Such gatherings reinforce the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing public health challenges like vector-borne diseases.

The early warning system for dengue fever in Vietnam, developed by D-MOSS as part of the E4Warning initiative, has been highlighted as a significant success story during the launch of the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) “Climate Services for Health” report launched the past 2th November 2023. Rachel Lowe from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) represented the project, elaborating on the vital work performed by E4Warning.

The presentation underscored how this advanced system is making strides in public health by providing early warnings of dengue fever outbreaks. By harnessing climate data and predictive modeling, the system is aiding Vietnam in taking preemptive measures to mitigate the impact of this vector-borne disease, thereby safeguarding communities and strengthening the resilience of health systems.

The latest World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of Climate Services report delivers a compelling message about the intricate connection between our changing climate and public health. The report acts as a clarion call, highlighting the dire need for precise climate information and services to bolster the health sector amid escalating threats from extreme weather events, evolving disease patterns, and the looming specter of food and water scarcity.

Prof. Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General, brings to the forefront the widespread occurrence of heatwaves across the globe, further intensified by the imminent onset of El Niño. This scenario sets a backdrop for heightened temperature records, amplifying the urgency for increased investment and collaborative efforts to elevate the role of climate science. By doing so, health partners can gain critical support in times when our climate’s unpredictability takes a tangible toll on human health.

In alignment with Prof. Taalas’s observations, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus defines the climate crisis as an escalating health crisis. He underlines the vital need for access to high-quality climate services within the health sector to counteract the perilous effects of climate change on human well-being.

Despite this clear need, the report reveals a gap: climate data often does not permeate health decision-making processes as it should. This disconnect points to an essential requirement for improved early warning systems, especially since disaster events are anticipated to surge, with less-prepared countries facing significantly higher mortality rates.

The focus then shifts to the underestimation of extreme heat’s health impacts. Highlighting the efforts of the Early Warnings for All initiative, the report underscores the necessity to expand heat warning services, which are currently absent in many vulnerable regions.

Ultimately, the WMO report connects the dots between the adverse effects of climate change on various aspects of health — from the quality of the air we breathe to the nutritional security of our food and the control of infectious diseases. It’s a comprehensive wake-up call for cross-sectoral action, aiming to fortify the health community against the multifaceted challenges posed by a warming world. This post serves to emphasize that climate action is not just an environmental imperative but a crucial facet of global health strategy.

Tangible solutions

The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of Climate Services report doesn’t just outline the challenges; it showcases tangible solutions through success stories where climate services have made significant inroads in health outcomes. One such example is the early warning system for dengue in Vietnam, which was presented as a beacon of the potential benefits of climate services for health. This system, alongside other initiatives from Africa, Europe, the Pacific, and the Pan-American region, represents the strides being made in marrying meteorological insights with health sector needs.

The State of Climate Services report can be downloaded here.

The 2nd International One-Health Conference, held in Barcelona on October 19-20, 2023, saw a distinguished assembly of professionals from diverse fields come together to advance the multidisciplinary conversation on public health. Among the attendees was Frederic Bartumeus from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), who presented the groundbreaking work of E4Warning.

With health being an essential aspect of modern society, the conference set forth the goal of bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policy-making through a One Health approach—a holistic and integrated perspective on health that considers human, animal, and environmental well-being. The event aimed to foster synergistic dialogues among research fields and action domains, engaging researchers, experts, students, and decision-makers.

Central to the congress were the framing questions that challenge current paradigms and seek to integrate the One-Health framework into the health sector comprehensively. Discussions revolved around the inclusion of the One-Health framework in legislation under the EU, understanding the interlinkages between health, climate change, and decision-making, and identifying the concerns health professionals have regarding the One Health concept. The conference sought not only to outline the open questions but also to explore opportunities and solutions to overcome barriers to implementing the One-Health approach.

In this context, Frederic Bartumeus presented E4Warning’s contribution to enhancing urban resilience capacities through the One Health approach. He outlined the innovative tools developed as part of E4Warning and the various methodologies employed to address the risks of mosquito-borne diseases within the framework of eco-epidemiological intelligence. His presentation shed light on the project’s interdisciplinary strategies for early warning and response, which are crucial in the context of a changing climate and emerging health threats.

Bartumeus’s participation underscored the pivotal role of E4Warning in providing actionable solutions and insights, reinforcing the importance of integrating scientific research with policy and decision-making. The conference also had the participation of Maria Feio from the University of Coimbra, who’s  contribution to the conference centered around the innovative OneAquaHealth project, which underscores the potential of earth observations to monitor changes in urban aquatic ecosystems that are pertinent to human health.

The 2nd International One-Health Conference was more than a meeting of minds; it was a step forward in operationalizing the One Health concept in a way that meets the pressing health challenges of our times.

Willy Wint (ERGO), representing E4Warning, attended the EuroGEO workshop held in Bolzano on the 2nd and 3rd of October. E4Warning was featured in a session that delved into pressing issues related to climate-induced disasters and health challenges. This session, titled “Addressing climate-induced disasters and health challenges: the contribution of EuroGEO and GEO-CRADLE initiatives and the way forward”, highlighted the vital role of Earth Observations in tackling environmental and health-related adversities.

The workshop session, chaired by Haris Kontoes (NOA/BEYOND), set out with clear objectives: to showcase the successful integration of Earth Observation data into services tailored for mitigating climate-triggered disasters and health concerns. Stories of success from EuroGEO initiatives, including e-shape and the valuable contributions from the Disasters and Health Action Groups, were shared, emphasizing the scientific and service advancements made by these groups.

In a show of collective progress and strategic foresight, the session also outlined concrete roadmaps aimed at ensuring the sustainability of these actions and services. It highlighted the importance of promoting open access to Earth Observation data and science, alongside showcasing sustainable business models that utilize this data for the benefit of diverse stakeholders.

The commitment to designing future joint actions, like policy papers, special journal editions, and various workshops and webinars, stood out as a testament to the collaborative spirit driving these initiatives forward. This collaborative effort, supported by the EuroGEO Secretariat and relevant CSAs such as GEO-CRADLE and COERNICUS FPCUP, aims to forge synergies that will have a long-lasting impact on the global strategy post-2025 for addressing climate-related disasters and health crises.

Notable presentations from the session included:

• FRIEND’s innovative approach to flood risk and impact assessment by Marco Folegani (MEEO)
• MountaiNow‘s live mapping of mountain hazards, presented by Alexia Massacand
• SOL’s real-time flood forecast and early-warning system by Marco Mancini (PoliMi/MMI)
• EYWA’s Early Warning System for Mosquito-Borne Diseases from Haris Kontoes (NOA/BEYOND)
• E4Warning’s initiative on eco-epidemiological intelligence, presented by Willy Wint (ERGO)
• OneAquaHealth by Maria Feio (University of Coimbra) focusing on the potential of Earth Observations in urban aquatic ecosystems
• GEO-CRADLE‘s capacity building efforts across various regions, discussed by Alexia Tsouni (NOA/BEYOND)
• The Copernicus Health Hub, which connects environmental data with the health community, by Julie Letertre (ECMWF)

The session culminated in a round table discussion, moderated by Haris Kontoes, which allowed for an engaging exchange of ideas and experiences among the speakers.

E4Warning held its Kick-off meeting on February 27-28, 2023. The face-to-face meeting took place at CEAB-CSIC, Blanes, Spain. There the Coordinator, the WP Leaders and Co-leaders, and other researchers linked to the project, as well as the EC Officer and other guests, met. The first day was dedicated to analyzing organizational aspects and the different WPs. In each of them, the dependencies between tasks and with other WPs, possible barriers and mitigations, and the tasks to be deployed during the first year of the project were detected. On the second day, on February 28, 2023, the different case studies and work fields were introduced: both the marsh environments where field work will be carried out, to the urban environments in Europe, Brazil and Vietnam. Two parallel work sessions were held to discuss, on the one hand, the acquisition of vector and reservoir data, as well as field experiments; on the other, the different models that will be developed, the variables, covariates, spatial and temporal scales that must be covered. The day ended by sharing what was decided in these parallel sessions and the planning for 2023.

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E4Warning will held its Kick-off Meeting on 27-28 February 2023. This meeting will yake place in the CEAB-CSIC (Blanes, Spain). It will bring together the Principle Investigators, WP Leaders and Co-leaders, participants.