Vector Surveillance, crucially important to guiding vector control interventions, includes many activities from adult and larval mosquito collections to mosquito identification, and more. Surveys of National Malaria Programs showed that understanding of the Geographical Information System (GIS) was a top capacity shortfall challenging effective vector surveillance implementation. To meet this challenge, the online course on Geographical Information System in Malaria Vector Surveillance was organized from 1 to 5 August 2022. The course was organized by the APMEN Vector Control Working Group and Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, as well as supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The course instructor was Dr Chawarat Rotejanaprasert, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; and Senior Biostatistician, Epidemiology Department, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Unit.

This 5-day online introductory-level course on GIS and vector surveillance used a free and open-source Quantum GIS focused on two elements:

• GIS-enabled mapping, stratification, and visualization of key data that assist in planning of vector control interventions
• Field data collection using EpiCollect5 to ease entomologist in routine vector surveillance.

The course aims to build capacity of field-entomologists, vector control specialists, and vector control researchers within National Malaria Control Programs and partner institutions.

Out of 111 applicants, a total of 31 practitioners were selected to join the course, representing 15 APMEN member states.

“This course is very useful, and we have learnt many new things. Learn how to use advanced applications and easily collect data in the field.” Mohammad Omer Ishaq, Entomologist from Ministry of Health, Afghanistan

Read the full training course information here and download the full report below.