On October 20, 2017, Francis Schaffner, an expert in entomology, systematics and parasitology from the University of Zurich in Switzerland, Dr. Fatma Khrouf, a researcher - entomologist of the Scientific Research Institute named after Lui Pasteur in Tunisia and Kushvar Mammadova, a young researcher and assistant of Veterinary Faculty of Azerbaijan State Agrarian University conducted a seminar-conference at Khazar University, as part of an exchange program and within the framework of the International VectorNet research project.

The project was in association with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (EFSA) and the World Health Organization.

The goal of the project is to collect information about vectors and pathogens from around the world with respect to a threat they pose for human and animal health. The researchers have collected samples of dead mosquitoes involved in the spread of viruses from over 50 regions in Azerbaijan. After carrying out genetic analysis, they will present a map of mosquito species and their populations in Azerbaijan at the next meeting. It should be noted that they previously developed such maps for Europe, Turkey and Georgia.

The seminar and conference was a two-part event. Dr. Francis Schaffner outlined the goals and objectives of the project, presented information on important mosquito species involved in the spread of dangerous viral diseases and maps of the countries and the regions in Azerbaijan researched so far, while Dr. Fatma Khrouf spoke about collecting mosquito samples and the methods of their research.

The seminar ended with the discussion of the results and future research plans.