Agenda for Aedes aegypti Summit

Background:
On 13 March 2016 the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil (SEB) served as hosts for an entomological summit on addressing the research, implementation, and vector control issues associated with Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito. Though the diseases–including Zika virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, dengue, and others–transmitted by this insect have been the subject of much news attention recently, this Summit focused on establishing lasting and effective methods of vector control.

The purpose of the meeting, entitled Summit on the Aedes aegypti Crisis in the Americas: Joining Together to Address a Grand Challenge, was to assemble the leaders of the global entomological community and explore opportunities to work together and use our collective influence to achieve these outcomes. (Click here to read the Outcome Statement from the Summit).

ClarkeThe free Summit was funded by the Entomological Society of America with generous support from Clarke.

SUMMIT AGENDA: (updated to include PDFs of speaker slides where available)
To access a copy of the Agenda as it was presented at the Summit, please click here.

8:00am
Breakfast (for invited and registered attendees)

9:00am
Welcome and Overview of the Grand Challenge Initiative
— Dr. Frank Zalom, 2014 President (ESA)
— Dr. Pedro Neves, 2016 President (SEB)

9:10am
Keynote address
Controlling the spread of Aedes aegypti is a complicated and daunting challenge. Our morning keynote speaker knows this first-hand, as the Secretary of Health for Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the sixth largest city in the nation. Professor Pimenta will set the stage for the day’s conversations about vector control as we learn about challenges faced in Belo Horizonte and other locations.
— Mr. Fabiano Pimenta, Secretaria Municipal Saude, Belo Horizonte, BH, Brazil (Click here to access a copy of Mr. Pimenta’s slides)

9:45am
Statement of the Problem
In this segment we will review the current state of the Aedes aegypti crisis in Brazil and the surrounding region as well as the implications this has for the rest of the Americas. Speakers will address the latest control efforts, including successes and challenges, and also discuss vector control problems as a global grand challenge.
— Dr. Giovanini Coelho, Coordinator National Dengue and Chikungunya and Zika Control (Click here to access a copy of Dr. Coelho’s slides, as presented by Mr. Pimenta)
— Dr. Carlos F. Campelo de A. e Melo, National Coordinator on Dengue, OPAS/OMS
— Dr. Luciano Moreira, Summit Co-Chair and Project Leader of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
— Dr. Grayson Brown, Summit Co-Chair and Professor of Entomology, Univ. of Kentucky (Click here to access a copy of Dr. Brown’s slides)

10:30am
Break

10:45am
Challenge Areas
This section of the program will feature short talks by experts on important areas related to this issue. As time permits, audience questions may be addressed.

11:50pm
An Association Model for Action
This session will feature a short video produced by ESA on how professional associations can use their unique influence to create a model for sustained action.

12:05pm
Instructions for afternoon breakout sessions

12:10pm
Lunch

1:10pm
Breakout sessions
There will be two facilitated breakout sessions and attendees are encouraged to participate in the one which most closely aligns with their professional and/or research interests.

  • Breakout Session 1: Research needs
    Session goal: Identify research knowledge gaps that must be identified. Specifically, the session will review insecticide resistance, Wolbachia, transgenic mosquitoes, and other factors that constitute gaps in the community’s knowledge regarding this issue.
    — Facilitators: Luciano Moreira and Chris Stelzig (ESA staff)
  • Breakout Session 2: Implementation needs
    Session goal: Identify critical opportunities and challenges to establish effective control in the Americas. Specifically, this session will focus on issues related to surveillance and identification; modeling, GIS, and decision-making tools; and pesticide application and calibration, including certification and record-keeping.
    — Facilitators: Grayson Brown and Mustapha Debboun

2:40pm
Break

2:55pm
Breakout Session Reports
This session will begin with a report from each of the breakout sessions, highlighting important areas of conversation and any research priorities that need to be addressed as well as identifying any challenge areas that may impede implementation. Models for successful action will be addressed.
— Moderator: Phil Torres, entomologist and broadcast news reporter
— Click here for the slides from the session on implementation needs
— Click here for the slides from the session on research needs

3:10pm
Agency and NGO Perspectives
In this session a panel of experts and representatives from various non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies will reflect on the breakout reports and present their perspective, including their unique global experiences, thoughts on the issues addressed throughout the day, barriers to success and recommendations for moving forward.  The panel will be moderated by Phil Torres and the panelists are:

  • Dr. Roberto Barrera, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Dr. Angela Harris, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Col. Jamie Blow, PhD, US Armed Forces Pest Management Board
  • Dr. Denise Valle, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

3:55pm
Model for Interaction and Major Next Steps
This panel discussion will focus on the critical nature of collaboration with respect to seeking sustainable scientific solutions including a projected plan for the development and implementation of a solution framework. The panelists are:

  • Prof. John Pickett, Royal Entomological Society
  • Dr. Paula Macedo, American Mosquito Control Association
  • Dr. Frank Zalom, Entomological Society of America
  • Mr. C. David Gammel, Entomological Society of America

4:25pm
Closing Keynote
Solving the Aedes aegypti is a global challenge and it takes a global vision from influential parties to make a lasting difference. PCI Media Impact has been involved with many public health crises around the globe, including the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Establishing open lines of collaboration and communication was key to bringing that crisis back under control. The shared responsibility for solutions must be borne by a variety of partners, including professional societies and novel partnerships.
— Brenda Campos, PCI Media Impact Director of International Programs
— Click here to download a copy of Ms. Campos’ slides, view the video trailer from the #ISurvivedEbola campaign, or the video which closed her presentation – “We Survive”.

4:50pm
Summit Close
Closing comments and next steps.
— Dr. Frank Zalom, 2014 President (ESA)
— Dr. Pedro Neves, 2016 President (SEB)

5:00pm
Poster Session Reception
Join other attendees and speakers as we view the scientific posters and enjoy light refreshments.

 

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