Community science for mosquito surveillance in Canada: a toolkit for program design and implementation

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Vector-borne Disease Ecology

Background:

• Climate change is expanding mosquito habitats in Canada, increasing disease transmission risks.
• Traditional mosquito surveillance methods face logistical and geographical limitations, especially in remote areas.
• There is a critical need for adaptable and community-based surveillance strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a community-based mosquito surveillance toolkit.
• To provide a structured guide for establishing effective community science projects for mosquito monitoring.
• To enhance volunteer engagement and data collection for vector control.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review informed toolkit development.
• A multidisciplinary expert group validated the toolkit's components.
• The toolkit includes guides for project design, volunteer engagement, and evaluation, plus a quick reference and animated video.

Main Results:

• The toolkit was presented to 69 participants at a national meeting in February 2025.
• Attendees included public health professionals, educators, scientists, and community leaders from across Canada.
• Participants showed enthusiasm and provided feedback on adoption opportunities and challenges.

Conclusions:

• The toolkit offers a clear, evidence-based resource for organizations and public health authorities.
• It facilitates meaningful volunteer participation and enhances capacity for vector control.
• This supports sustainable, community-driven surveillance efforts to address emerging public health challenges.