Visit by the VESTERGAARD team to the CSRS: a collaboration in support of vector control
From 28 July to 1 August 2026, the Centre for Research and Studies on Public Health (Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, CSRS), through its Clinical Expertise and Vector Control Studies Group (Groupe d’Expertise Clinique et d’Etudes sur la Lutte Antivectorielle, GECELV), hosted a delegation from Vestergaard, led by Dr Rinki Deb (Principal Investigator, Public Health) and Dr Oscar Mbare (Technical Programme Manager).
From 28 July to 1 August 2026, the Centre for Research and Studies on Vector Control (Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, CSRS), through the Clinical Expertise and Research Group on Vector Control (Groupe d’Expertise Clinique et d’Etudes sur la Lutte Antivectorielle, GECELV), hosted a delegation from Vestergaard, led by Dr Rinki Deb (Principal Investigator, public health) and Dr Oscar Mbare (programme technical manager).
This visit, organised under the coordination of Professor Koudou Guibéhi (GECELV Coordinator and head of the GLP trial facility at the CSRS), provided an opportunity to: (i) review the progress of studies funded by VESTERGAARD and implemented by GECELV; (ii) present the infrastructure supporting the implementation of the projects, in particular the insectariums and technical testing platforms; (iii) visit the laboratories and discuss the studies currently underway; (iv) visit the field sites in Tiassalé and the Taabo/Yamoussoukro region to gain a first-hand insight into the operational realities of the ongoing trials and surveys; (v) meet with local health authorities and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), key stakeholders in the areas where the work is being carried out.
These discussions enabled the GECELV team, led by Professor Koudou, and the VESTERGAARD delegation to analyse the results of the ongoing studies in greater detail, discuss the main technical challenges associated with vector control, and identify new avenues for collaboration.
This visit demonstrates the strength and depth of the partnership between GECELV and VESTERGAARD, as well as their shared commitment to ensuring that the research carried out effectively meets the needs of those involved in the fight against malaria and vector-borne diseases.
A big thank you to the whole VESTERGAARD team for this enlightening visit, and to all the staff at the CSRS who contributed to its success!
Dr Tchikaya Emile / Entomologist