Entomological Training in Cambodia Boasts Impressive Outcomes

This week’s Fist Bump Friday goes out to the VectorLink Cambodia Team for conducting their first-ever entomological training and technical activity under the VectorLink Project. PMI initially planned to begin supporting entomological monitoring in Cambodia under VectorLink in 2018/19 in two sites: Mondulkiri and Stung Treng provinces. However, activities were delayed until a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology, and Malaria Control (CNM) could be finalized. The outbreak of COVID-19 and ensuing pandemic-related travel restrictions then delayed the on-boarding of the Cambodia team’s proposed technical manager who was set to oversee this training and following technical activities. Despite the absence of a technical manager, and with the on-boarding of a new COP, VectorLink Cambodia was able to successfully complete its first-ever entomology training on mosquito surveillance and vector species identification.

The training was led by Stung Treng and Mr. Didot Prasetyo (Entomology Manager of the U.S. NAMRU2 laboratory in Phnom Penh) with notable outcomes. Participants included staff from the Cambodia National Center for Parasitology, Entomology, and Malaria Control (CNM), two provincial health department staff, and two district health center staff. In the two-part training, VectorLink technicians Yan Chanly and Yean Sony supported sessions in a CNM laboratory that included eight days of hands-on field training in Stung Treng province. During laboratory sessions, participants learned about Anopheles mosquito behavior such as breeding, host blood-seeking, and resting. Participants also learned the various mosquito trapping methods and practiced species identification of mosquitoes using microscopes. In the field sessions that followed, participants got hands-on experience with mosquito identification and trapping techniques in a local village before presenting their results to their fellow peers.

All participants enjoyed and actively engaged in the laboratory sessions and felt confident in their abilities to identify mosquito species prior to undergoing the field practicum. The results of pre- and post-testing for the training revealed notable improvements in participants’understanding and knowledge of concepts covered. The post-test results showed that all participants scored with passing grades, while 3 participants received perfect scores! Now that training has been completed, the VL Cambodia team will begin its first monthly surveillance on October 11th in Mondulkiri Province.

Congrats to our VectorLink Cambodia technicians for a job well done!