Citizen Science.

Public participation and collaboration in scientific research can increase scientific knowledge.

The PacMOSSI consortium works to test the 
feasibility of a community participation-based model for mosquito surveillance known as ‘citizen science.’
Image source: Te Marae Ora Cook Islands Ministry of Health, “Mosquito control items received in Cook Islands”

Citizen science for mosquito surveillance.

01
Enhancesdata collection
from different areas at low cost to better understand mosquito species distribution
02
Enablestwo-way dialogue
with community members to optimise
risk reduction strategies
03
Empowers communities 
and individuals
for focussed risk communication & health promotion
Image Credit: Hugo Bugoro, Solomon Islands National University

PacMOSSI achievements.

The PacMOSSI citizen science initiative aims
to track and map the distribution of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of dengue
and other arboviral diseases.

Health authorities in Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Kiribati empowered their communities to design and implement citizen-led mosquito surveillance systems. Active participation came from school students, residents in rural and remote areas, and members of housing cooperatives.

The PacMOSSI initiative fostered a spirit of collaboration beyond its main goal of collecting mosquito data. It enabled health authorities 
to engage communities in meaningful two-way discussions about dengue risk and the necessary preventive measures, ensuring everyone felt included in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.

“We found that the practical and creative nature of the PacMOSSI citizen science model was engaging, and that people were eager to be involved,” said Dr Hugo Bugoro from Solomon Islands 
National University.

Resources.

A set of resources to were developed to support citizen science mosquito egg collections.

PacMOSSI future activities.

More opportunities to start and develop a citizen science
mosquito surveillance project will be available soon that will build on this success.

Get involved.

Contact us

If you work in vector surveillance and control in the Pacific and
are interested in learning more about being a mentee or mentor
in the PacMOSSI Mentoring Program, please get in touch with
us through our contact page or at pacmossi@jcu.edu.au

Contact us