On November 26, 2024, the semi-annual online meeting of the OH SURVector consortium took place. A total of 37 participants attended this important meeting.

Key Topics and Outcomes:

• Next Meeting: The next Steering Committee meeting is planned for the first quarter of 2025.
• Annual Meeting 2025: The next live annual meeting will take place in the spring of 2025 in the Czech Republic, organized by SZÚ (Czech National Institute of Public Health). A two-day meeting is planned in the historic SZÚ building, celebrating its 100th anniversary.
• Country Presentations: Various countries presented their latest research findings. Notably, Greece presented on the Aigai virus, identified as non-pathogenic and similar to a vaccine strain.
• Breakout Sessions: Specialized breakout sessions for Work Packages (WP) 2 - Fieldwork tick monitoring, WP 3 – Fieldwork mosquito monitoring, and WP 4 – Laboratory diagnostics were held, followed by a plenary session for WP 5 – Data and analysis and WP 6 – Communication and dissemination. These sessions facilitated in-depth discussions and planning of future steps.
• Data Submission: Discussions on data submission to EFSA and GBIF were conducted. Some countries take advantage of additional training for data submission, which will be provided by EFSA.
• Communication Plan: The communication plan (Deliverable 8) was discussed and will be further developed to enhance collaboration and information exchange within the consortium.

Next steps:

• Harmonization Potential: The discussion on harmonization potential of surveillance activities across countries will continue in the upcoming WP sessions.
• Data Submission: Countries are to submit their pathogen data collected in 2024 by the end of February 2025.
• Communication: A WP 6 meeting will be coordinated to finalize the communication plan and plan further communication activities.

A big thank you to all participants for their valuable contributions and dedication. We look forward to the upcoming meetings and continued collaboration!

On March 18th and 19th 2024, the kick-off meeting of the EU project OH SURVector took place in Budapest, Hungary. Colleagues from all five countries and all eight institutions attended to get to know each other personally and establish exchanges within and between the individual working groups.

After a welcome by the hosts Ágnes Dánielisz and Gábor Kardos from the Hungarian Public Health Institute (NCPHP) on the first day, project coordinator Annette Nigsch (AGES), together with former Hungarian Chief Veterinary Officer Lajos Bognár, took over moderation. To break the ice, the two most important terms of the project were initially exchanged in the respective national languages: mosquito & tick. Subsequently, the visions, goals, dos and don'ts were jointly reaffirmed.

Also present were representatives from EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and HaDEA (European Health and Digital Executive Agency) to provide insights into ongoing tasks, explain the most important framework conditions for project implementation, and answer our open questions. The cultural program consisted of a sightseeing walk at Heroes' Square and to Vajdahunyad Castle, followed by a great Hungarian dinner at the traditional Gundel Restaurant.

On the second day, work was carried out within the individual working groups on the first milestones and deliverables. Furthermore, Annette Nigsch presented the Consortium Agreement.

A big thank you to the hosts for jointly organizing the successful kick-off meeting. We wish all participants good cooperation and success in catching mosquitoes and ticks!