The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases and the CDC Epidemic Prediction Initiative, in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, are pleased to announce an open Aedes forecasting challenge for 2019.

Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are the vectors of chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses, some of the most important arboviruses impacting human health globally. Because of their potential to transmit these viruses, these mosquitoes are targeted for surveillance and vector control in many areas of the United States. One of the challenges faced by agencies aiming to control these mosquitoes is that their seasonal and geographic range is not precisely known and may be changing.

The Aedes Forecasting Challenge focuses on predicting the seasonal presence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in a subset of U.S. counties from multiple states across the country. At least two years of historical data (2017-2018) are provided for each county and forecasts will predict the collection and reporting of each species for each month of 2019, beginning in April*. The challenge is open to anyone and any methodological approach. Further details on how to participate can be found on the Epidemic Prediction Initiative website: https://predict.cdc.gov/.

Any questions can be directed to aedeschallenge@cdc.gov.