Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 14 August 2025 — Officers from the Public and Environmental Health Department’s Vector Control Unit recently participated in a specialized Entomology workshop on Culicoides vectors and the Oropouche virus, held in Trinidad from August 4–6, 2025.
Representing the department were Mr. Hilton Robinson – Vector Control Supervisor and Ms. Clevesha Outten -Acting Vector Control Coordinator.
The workshop, titled “Entomology Workshop on Culicoides Vectors and Oropouche Virus,” brought together regional experts and public health professionals to address the growing global significance of Culicoides—tiny biting midges responsible for transmitting several vector-borne diseases, including the Oropouche virus.
Over the three-day period, participants engaged in interactive lectures, practical field sessions, and laboratory exercises. Key topics included:
- The global importance of Culicoides as disease vectors
- Surveillance techniques and best practices
- Field trapping and specimen collection methods
- Laboratory processing and preservation techniques
- Disease transmission pathways
- Future directions in Culicoides research
Although comprehensive regional data on Culicoides and Oropouche virus transmission remains limited, the event served as a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Participants exchanged strategies to strengthen research and surveillance capacity across the Caribbean. The Vector Control Unit extends sincere thanks to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for the invitation to participate, as well as to all partnering organizations for sharing valuable information and resources.
“This training was an important step toward deepening our understanding of Culicoides vectors and their role in disease transmission,” said Mr. Robinson – Vector Control Supervisor. “It’s always encouraging to be part of an initiative that emphasizes collaborative research to address emerging public health threats in the region.”
The Vector Control Unit will continue to seek training opportunities and conduct research related to entomovirological surveillance and the challenges posed by the re-emerging viruses in the Caribbean.
The Environmental Health Department remains committed to enhancing vector control strategies and contributing to regional efforts aimed at preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases.
For more information about this initiative or ongoing work of the Environmental Health Department, please contact ehd@gov.tc or call 338-2143/44.
