Changing distribution of vector-borne diseases: Environment, transmission and vector control measures

The distribution, density and ecology of disease-transmitting vectors are particularly sensitive to environmental change caused in part by changing climatic conditions. The resulting spread of human vector-borne diseases will likely have major health impacts on vulnerable populations in Africa as well as – through the spread of vectors beyond their original tropical habitat – also in Europe. In this work programme under the topics 2.3.2-4., 2.3.3-1. and 2.3.3-3. resources are pooled to address in an integrated manner key issues related to the spread of vector-borne infections in Africa and Europe. Please note that another topic related to vectors is published in the work programme 2010 of Theme 'Environment (including climate change)'. The latter together with topic 2.3.2-4 here is published in a separate call for Africa see details in the respective call fiche under section III. The selected projects from Themes 'Health', 'Food, Agriculture and fisheries, and Biotechnology' and 'Environment (including climate change)' are expected to cooperate.

HEALTH.2010.2.3.2-4: Controlling malaria by hitting the vector: New or improved Vector Control Tools. FP7–CALL–FOR-AFRICA-2010.

An integrated research effort shall deliver new or improved tools and methods which can contribute to interrupting mosquito-mediated transmission of malaria. The research plan may comprise vector biology, including behavioural and population studies, but it must keep a clear translational focus on generating new or improved measures to prevent malaria infection of human populations through mosquito bites. Research into new or improved, environmentally sustainable insecticides (including larvicides) and repellents is encouraged. The major focus of the project shall be on vector control in Africa, where the disease burden is highest and the need for malaria control most pressing. Inclusion of African research groups is essential to ensure needs and realities of the target countries are met. The aim is to synergistically contribute to on-going European and global research efforts on vector control. Therefore, expertise in supranational coordination of large research consortia must be ensured. The aim is to achieve a balanced level of participation for African countries in collaboration with their European partners and it will be considered in the evaluation. Note: Limits on the EC financial contribution apply. These are implemented strictly as formal eligibility criteria. You must refer to the call fiche for details of these limits. Funding scheme: Specific International Cooperation Action (SICA) Collaborative project (large scale integrating project) Target region: International cooperation partner countries (ICPC) from African ACP and the following Mediterranean Partner countries (African MPC), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia

EC contribution per project: min. EUR 6 000 000 – max. EUR 12 000 000
Only up to one proposal can be selected.
Expected impact: The project should lead to better understanding of the biology and the population dynamics of mosquito vectors transmitting malaria in Africa. New and improved vector control tools will be contributing to reducing the malaria disease burden in Africa. It will increase the European contribution to on-going global efforts to control and eradicate malaria and will strengthen research partnerships and research capacities in Africa.