€14.7 million aerial mosquito control program launched in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has announced a €14.7 million public tender for a large-scale aerial mosquito control program covering the years 2026 to 2028, aiming to curb mosquito populations and limit the spread of the West Nile virus.

The project, with a total budget of €14,699,208, includes aerial spraying operations targeting both mosquito larvae (larviciding) and adult mosquitoes (adulticiding), alongside continuous monitoring of mosquito populations and virus circulation levels across rural and natural environments.

Comprehensive Monitoring and Intervention Strategy
According to the tender specifications, the program will involve a multi-layered operational plan, including:

• Geospatial mapping of mosquito breeding hotspots and submission of detailed digital datasets
• Field surveillance of larvae and adult mosquito populations using water sampling and specialized traps
• Virus detection systems, including monitoring in adult mosquitoes and sentinel animals such as birds
• Targeted aerial spraying, applying approved biocidal products to high-risk zones

Authorities emphasized that surveillance data will guide intervention strategies, determining when and where spraying is necessary, as well as evaluating overall effectiveness.

Advanced Aerial Operations
The aerial operations will be conducted using specially equipped helicopters, with strict requirements for operational readiness. The contractor must deploy:

• At least three primary spraying helicopters stationed in key regional units including Kavala, Rhodope/İskeçe, and Meriç
• One backup helicopter ready for immediate deployment in case of technical failure
• One turbine-powered helicopter dedicated to ultra-low volume (ULV) adult mosquito control operations

In total, a minimum of five helicopters will be required to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

Public Health Focus
The initiative comes amid ongoing concerns over mosquito-borne diseases in northern Greece, particularly the West Nile virus, which has seen periodic outbreaks in recent years.

Officials noted that the program includes not only operational costs but also the procurement and stockpiling of approved biocidal products, which must be secured by contractors within the first quarter of each contractual year.

Competitive Tender Process
The contract will be awarded based on the best value for money, combining both technical quality and financial efficiency, in line with EU public procurement standards.

Authorities describe the initiative as one of the most comprehensive mosquito control programs in Greece, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen public health protection and environmental monitoring across the region.