As the CLIMOS project enters its final year, it continues to make significant progress in bridging the gap between scientific research and policy in vector control. During the recent General Assembly in Turkey, hosted by EGE University, partners presented key findings on sand fly monitoring, pathogen screening, data modeling, and public health preparedness.
Key Findings from Sand Fly Monitoring and Pathogen Screening
Extensive sand fly monitoring from 2023 to 2024 revealed important regional variations. In Spain, sand fly densities were lower in the north, with seasonal peaks in July and August. The primary vector for Leishmania was identified as Phlebotomus perniciosus, and a moderate correlation was found between canine antibody prevalence and sand fly density, though dog lifestyles may influence this relationship. Italy completed pathogen screening for Leishmania in two regions, confirming active circulation of both Leishmania and Phlebovirus. In Turkey and Israel, sand fly identification for 2023 is complete, with ongoing pathogen screening for 2024 samples. Austria and Germany reported no Leishmania or Phlebovirus detections in sand flies, though dog serum screening continues. Serbia confirmed sand fly circulation and Leishmania antibody responses in dogs, emphasizing the need for further research. Croatia and the Czech Republic found no Leishmania in their sand fly populations, while Slovenia reported 25% of sand fly pools testing positive for Leishmania. France detected both Leishmania and Phleboviruses, and Portugal continues its pathogen screening efforts for 2024.
Pathogen research is ongoing, with studies focusing on the impact of temperature on Leishmania development in various sand fly species. Additionally, research on the role of microbiota in pathogen development, including co-infections with Asaia spp. and Toscana virus, is underway. Field trials of semiochemical lures in Spain and Italy showed promising results, with two lures demonstrating an attractive effect, though further validation is needed in 2024 trials.
Advancements in Climate Modelling and Public Health Preparedness
Climate modeling by PREDICTIA and Wageningen University confirmed that climate change is expanding suitable habitats for sand flies. The integration of climate projections into a Web Map Service (WMS) and the use of containerized frameworks for model validation are significant advancements in predictive capabilities.
The CLIMOS project remains committed to transforming research into actionable public health strategies. Engagement with local communities included 10 sessions across seven countries, gathering stakeholder input on the Early Warning System (EWS) and foresight scenario development. A workshop on Risk Assessment and policymaking, organized by the Israeli Ministry of Health and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, identified gaps in preparedness and inconsistencies in training availability across Europe and the Mediterranean. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for standardized training materials for veterinarians, public health officials, and vector control specialists.
The project also focused on the exploitation of key results, including a standardized sand fly database, the EWS platform, and new trapping technology. A critical discussion on CLIMOS open data policies led to a commitment to making research findings as openly accessible as possible. CLIMOS is the first project to create a standardized, climate-driven dataset on sand flies across multiple countries, providing a crucial foundation for future research and public health initiatives.
CLIMOS is an EU co-funded consortium, with 29 partners, coordinated by GHTM | IHMT-NOVA and lead by Researcher Carla Maia. For more information and the latest project developments, visit https://climos-project.eu/.