New directory of medical entomology courses developed with WHO TDR

ARCTEC and the Global Vector Hub (GVH) have collaborated with WHO TDR to develop a web-based directory of medical entomology courses available globally. This new resource will strengthen the capacity of scientists combating neglected tropical diseases and other vector-borne diseases.

Training and innovation in the field of medical entomology are essential to mitigate the burden of vector-borne diseases globally. However, there is a significant shortage of medical entomologists worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries most affected by vector-borne diseases.

A mapping of available entomology courses in 2016 revealed that the majority take place in the Americas, two-thirds of the courses are taught in English, and little or no information on these courses was accessible online.

To help bridge this gap, TDR has collaborated with ARCTEC and GVH to develop the Global Atlas of Medical Entomology Schooling (GAMES), which lists a total of 126 medical entomology courses offered both on-campus and through distance learning in 32 countries across all WHO regions, covering seven languages. The freely available directory is hosted on GVH, an online, open-access platform for sharing knowledge and information on vector control and research.

“The GAMES course directory aims to make the field of medical entomology more accessible to young scientists in countries where they are needed most,” said Dr John Reeder, Director of TDR. “In addition to our other research capacity strengthening activities, we hope this new resource will support efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.”

“Many countries have very few or no medical entomologists who are specialized in vectors that transmit disease,” said Dr Mwelecele Malecela, Director of WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. “We welcome this initiative to help build the new generation of field and operational research scientists fighting NTDs.”

To explore the directory, please visit https://globalvectorhub.lshtm.ac.uk/courses (you must register an account for free with the Global Vector Hub to access the directory).