Xenosurveillance-Based Metagenomic Characterization of Hematophage-Transmitted Pathogens in Portugal: Insights into Pathogen Diversity and Transmission Dynamics

Description

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent a growing and urgent threat to both human and veterinary health, driven mainly by the spread of mosquitoes and ticks. In Portugal, the recent detection of Aedes aegypti (Madeira, 2025), Aedes albopictus (Penafiel, 2017), and the first fatal autochthonous case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (Bragança, 2024) emphasize the critical need for enhanced surveillance. To provide the basis for novel VBDs monitoring strategies this project will employ seasonal arthropod sampling from urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, using next-generation sequencing-based metagenomics to detect and characterize viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. It will monitor known pathogens and potentially uncover emerging threats, providing invaluable insights into vector-borne disease dynamics, particularly in the context of animal emerging infectious diseases. By leveraging state-of-the-art genomic technologies, the research will inform the development of effective public and veterinary health strategies, ensuring mitigation of future risks to both animal and human populations and safeguarding global health.

Period	1 Sept 2025 → 1 Sept 2029
Degree of Recognition	International