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Aedes aegypti | August 2023

Dr. Raman Velayudhan: Combating Deadly Mosquitoes

Image of Raman Velayudhan

Dr. Raman Velayudhan is a seasoned expert in the public health field and a relentless advocate for combating the global threat of mosquito-borne diseases.

Image of Raman Velayudhan.
Source: National Environment Agency, Singapore

Currently at the helm of the Veterinary Public Health, Vector Control, and Environment unit within the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Velayudhan’s impact is far-reaching. As global focal point for dengue prevention and control, as well as for Integrated Vector Management, he orchestrates multifaceted campaigns to combat the world’s most pervasive vector-borne diseases. A driving force in coordinating arboviral vector-borne disease control activities, his efforts extend to championing the Vector Control Advisory Group, which is a testament to his leadership within the global health community.

Dr. Velayudhan’s journey took root in the Vector Control Research Centre in Pondicherry, India. His roles there, which ranged from evaluating insecticides to mentoring the next generation of medical entomologists, laid the foundation for the rest of his career. Having traversed multiple nations, including the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and the Philippines, he brings a wealth of experience in tackling diverse challenges related to malaria, filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and schistosomiasis.

About half of the world’s population is at risk of dengue …

Raman Velayudhan

With over 35 peer-reviewed publications under his belt, Dr. Velayudhan focuses on evidence-based strategies and pioneering advancements.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Public Health Landscape or Valent BioSciences, LLC.

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Aedes aegypti: Beyond the Black and White

One look at Aedes aegypti gives an immediate impression of its menacing nature. The telltale dark and white bands on the mosquito’s legs and other body parts bring a sense of foreboding and hardship. Sleek, silent, and stealthy, Ae. aegypti is the primary vector for several important, debilitating, and sometimes fatal human diseases including dengue, Zika virus, yellow fever, and chikungunya. The species is cause for mounting concern on many levels, as its biology, behavior, and ability to adapt have made Aedes aegypti one of the most pervasive and daunting public health challenges in the modern world.

The first mosquito ever associated with the spread of disease, Ae. aegypti is also the most studied of all mosquito species.1 From its humble beginnings in the African wild to a footprint that spans the globe, this durable and opportunistic insect has become a formidable opponent of vector control efforts worldwide.