The executive order directs HHS to launch diagnostic initiatives as molecular surveillance platforms expand decentralized testing.
A new federal initiative aimed at suppressing tick and mosquito populations has placed renewed focus on the development and deployment of rapid diagnostics for vector-borne diseases.
The executive order directs the US Department of Health and Human Services to establish research and development programs or prize competitions within 90 days. These efforts are designed to advance rapid diagnostics that identify tick- and mosquito-borne pathogens. The federal order also calls for the integration of commercial capabilities and advanced technologies as part of a Washington, DC-wide control campaign intended to serve as a national model.
Following the announcement, molecular diagnostics developer Co-Diagnostics highlighted how decentralized molecular testing is being utilized by public health and mosquito abatement agencies to monitor vector populations locally.
“This new executive order reinforces the growing importance of rapid, decentralized detection as part of a broader national strategy to address vector-borne disease,” says Dwight Egan, CEO of Co-Diagnostics, in a release. “Vector Smart was designed to address that challenge by enabling rapid, decentralized molecular surveillance of mosquito-borne pathogens. We have built a commercial platform that enables mosquito control programs to bring molecular testing in house, generate actionable results locally and strengthen surveillance in the communities they serve.”
Decentralized Molecular Surveillance Assays
Traditional vector monitoring programs often rely on sending field samples to external laboratories, which can introduce turnaround delays. Modern molecular platforms are designed to decentralize testing by allowing mosquito abatement districts and local public health agencies to process mosquito pools in house using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.
The company’s Vector Smart surveillance product line includes multiplex PCR assays capable of detecting pathogens linked to West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. Several of these pathogens are specifically targeted for enhanced detection and suppression under the federal initiative.
Adoption Across Public Health and Defense Sectors
To date, the Vector Smart surveillance system has been implemented by 40 customer accounts across 21 US states, including installations in several Utah counties. Recent commercial milestones include full laboratory installations in Florida and Indiana, as well as an independent evaluation of the company’s Vector Smart VZDC assay conducted by an unnamed state public health laboratory.
In September 2026, the company also executed its first international deployment following an order from an overseas US Air Force base, marking its first operational placement with the US Air Force.
Co-Diagnostics plans to expand its discussions with public health and government stakeholders as implementation plans for the executive order take shape. Joseph Featherstone, executive vice president of business development, is scheduled to represent the company at the Utah Global Health Leadership roundtable on Oct 9, 2026, to discuss the role of diagnostic tools in vector-borne disease management. The company is also scheduled to participate in several regional mosquito control conferences this fall and will host an educational surveillance webinar on Nov 17, 2026.
