Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika viruses are all current public health threats in tropical and sub-tropical areas where approximately 3.9 billion people live. The frequency and magnitude of outbreaks of these arboviruses, particularly those transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, are increasing globally, fuelled by the convergence of ecologic, economic and social factors.

The Global Arbovirus Initiative was launched on 31 March 2022. It is a cross-cutting effort initiated across the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme, the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, and the Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals Department in collaboration with a growing body of multisectoral international partners. The pillars of the initiative provide a framework for objectives and priority activities to tackle emerging and re-emerging arboviruses with epidemic and pandemic potential focusing on monitoring risk, pandemic prevention, preparedness, detection and response, and building a coalition of partners.