The Institut Pasteur du Cambodge was honored to organize the 6th International Conference on the Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus, on March 28 and 29, 2024 at the Himawari Hotel Apartments in Phnom Penh.

This mosquito species is the vector of over 100 arboviruses, some of which represent major public health threats, such as the Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viruses. Some diseases from these viruses are circulating in Cambodia, with economic and health impacts every year, particularly during epidemic years.

In the absence of a vaccine strategy, the fight against vector species is decisive, requiring a good knowledge of the vector. The conference was therefore an important opportunity to share knowledge about Ae. albopictus. Several researchers gave a variety of presentations, offering diverse perspectives on their work relating to this mosquito species.

The first day of the conference featured presentations on the impact of Dengue vector species in Southeast Asia, covering their distribution, biology, ecology, genetics and vector competence. The second day was dedicated to vector surveillance, insecticide resistance and new vector control strategies.

Internationally recognized scientists from 21 different countries were able to exchange knowledge and, new discoveries, participate in discussions, develop new, innovative and adapted strategies, and strive for quality collaborations. Organized every two years on an international scale, this conference has already been held in China (Guangzhou, twice), Italy (Pavia, twice) and France. This is the first time the event has been held in Southeast Asia, in Cambodia to be precise.