The VECTOBOL platform
History

Contents

A platform stemming from a network of entomological expertise in Bolivia

VECTOBOL (VECTOres de BOLivia) is a scientific platform dedicated to advancing knowledge of blood-feeding insects found in Bolivia.

The platform was created to compile and make use of entomological data produced by various Bolivian scientific institutions, with the goal of building a shared resource on the diversity, distribution, and ecology of vectors of medical and veterinary importance.

Before the creation of VECTOBOL, much of the data resulting from entomological collection and research activities was stored separately within different institutions. The creation of the platform has facilitated the consolidation, organization, and dissemination of this data.

Key Milestones

2016–2017 — Establishment of a national network of experts

The development of VECTOBOL is part of a project funded by the World Health Organization’s TDR program:

“Implementation of a Bolivian network for expertise on local insect vectors.”

This project aimed to strengthen national capacity for expertise on insect vectors and to improve knowledge management and sharing.

It brought together, in particular, the IRD (UMR MIVEGEC), INLASA (Laboratorio de Entomología Médica), and the Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS), through LEMUMSS and IIBISMED.

Ce réseau a permis de rapprocher des équipes travaillant auparavant sur des collections et des données complémentaires.

April 2018 — Founding of VECTOBOL

In April 2018, the VECTOBOL platform (VECTOres de BOLivia) was officially launched.

The initial goal is to consolidate data from entomological collection activities carried out in various Bolivian laboratories, notably INLASA and the UMSS Medical Entomology Laboratory (LEMUMSS).

This initiative makes it possible to compile information accumulated over the years, including historical data from collections and observations dating back to the 2000s.

The platform relies on collaboration between Bolivian researchers and specialists responsible for the various expert institutions.

2020 — First version of the website and digital development

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an initial version of the VECTOBOL website was developed to facilitate access to the information and resources produced by the platform.

This same period also saw the development of a structured approach to data management through the use of REDCap and REDCap Mobile for the standardized collection of field observations.

2020–2024 — Gradual structuring of data

Between 2020 and 2024, VECTOBOL will continue to expand by gradually improving its tools for data collection, management, and visualization.

The platform is gradually integrating:

  • georeferenced data from fieldwork;
  • taxonomic and ecological information;
  • scientific resources related to species;
  • tools for accessing and leveraging knowledge.

Today — A Collaborative Platform in Evolution

Today, VECTOBOL serves as a collaborative platform that brings together scientific institutions, healthcare organizations, and field workers to document the biodiversity of blood-feeding insects in Bolivia.

The platform continues to evolve through the integration of new observations, the expansion of existing data, and the development of new tools for scientific dissemination.