Entomological surveillance

This note reports on occurrences of triatomine species in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, registered between 1988 and 2017. Records of triatomines captured in Sao Paulo are based on specimens received spontaneously from Health Surveillance Centers, Health Centers and Zoonosis Control Centers in the city as well as from citizens. Species were identified morphologically at the Public Health Entomology Laboratory, Faculty of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, where the triatomines, which are vectors of Chagas disease, were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The first reported occurrence of triatomine bugs in urban Sao Paulo was in 1988. The specimen, which was captured in Jardim Sao Luiz district, was from the genus Panstrongylus and was registered as Panstrongylus sp. but was not sexed. Since this first recorded occurrence, the following species have been found in the city: Panstrongylus geniculatus (2 occurrences), P. megistus (15 occurrences), Triatoma infestans (1 occurren...

En 2016 se estableció un sistema anual de vigilancia entomológica para la detección de Aedes albopictus en la comunidad autónoma de La Rioja. En el verano de 2020, se detectó por primera vez la presencia de huevos en una zona urbana, lo que constituye el primer registro de esta especie en la región. La identificación de este mosquito invasor supone un cambio en el riesgo de aparición de casos de arbovirosis en La Rioja. La vigilancia entomológica es crucial para el diseño de estrategias de control que, junto con la vigilancia epidemiológica, puedan evitar la aparición de brotes autóctonos de arbovirosis. En este trabajo se detalla el proceso de la primera detección de mosquito tigre en La Rioja, así como las intervenciones llevadas a cabo y las perspectivas de futuro. In 2016, an annual entomological surveillance program for the detection of Aedes albopictus in the autonomous community of La Rioja was established. In the summer of 2020, the presence of eggs was detected for the firs...

Background There is a paucity of recent data and knowledge on mosquito diversity and potential vectors of arboviruses in South Africa, with most of the available data dating back to the 1950s–1970s. Aedes and Culex species are the major vectors of some of the principal arboviruses which have emerged and re-emerged in the past few decades. Methods In this study we used entomological surveillance in selected areas in the north-eastern parts of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 to assess mosquito diversity, with special emphasis on the Aedes species. The impact of trap types and environmental conditions was also investigated. Identification of the blood meal sources of engorged females collected during the study period was carried out, and DNA barcodes were generated for selected species. Results Overall, 18.5% of the total Culicidae mosquitoes collected belonged to the genus Aedes, with 14 species recognised or suspected vectors of arboviruses. Species belonging to the Neomelaniconion su...

Many RNA viruses have recently emerged, threatening humans and causing harm to animals and plants. Bunyaviruses represent one of the largest groups of RNA viruses and are able to infect a wide range of hosts (invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants). Recently, new insect-specific viruses have been isolated from mosquitoes and phlebotomine sandflies worldwide. Little is known regarding the impact of these viruses on the vector life cycles and the stages of oviposition, breeding, blood feeding, and the mosquito's lifespan. This study describes, for the first time in South America, the detection and characterization of a recently discovered bunyavirus corresponding to the Wutai mosquito phasivirus, confirming its high prevalence in the Culex spp. and Aedes spp. mosquitoes collected in the urban environment of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. The knowledge of the mosquito's insect-specific virus infection can improve virus evolution studies and may contribute to the understanding of intrinsic factors that influence vector competence to transmit pathogenic viruses.

Many RNA viruses have recently emerged, threatening humans and causing harm to animals and plants. Bunyaviruses represent one of the largest groups of RNA viruses and are able to infect a wide range of hosts (invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants). Recently, new insect-specific viruses have been isolated from mosquitoes and phlebotomine sandflies worldwide. Little is known regarding the impact of these viruses on the vector life cycles and the stages of oviposition, breeding, blood feeding, and the mosquito’s lifespan. This study describes, for the first time in South America, the detection and characterization of a recently discovered bunyavirus corresponding to the Wutai mosquito phasivirus, confirming its high prevalence in the Culex spp. and Aedes spp. mosquitoes collected in the urban environment of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. The knowledge of the mosquito’s insect-specific virus infection can improve virus evolution studies and may contribute to the understanding of intrinsi...

Background There is a paucity of recent data and knowledge on mosquito diversity and potential vectors of arboviruses in South Africa, with most of the available data dating back to the 1950s–1970s. Aedes and Culex species are the major vectors of some of the principal arboviruses which have emerged and re-emerged in the past few decades. Methods In this study we used entomological surveillance in selected areas in the north-eastern parts of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 to assess mosquito diversity, with special emphasis on the Aedes species. The impact of trap types and environmental conditions was also investigated. Identification of the blood meal sources of engorged females collected during the study period was carried out, and DNA barcodes were generated for selected species. Results Overall, 18.5% of the total Culicidae mosquitoes collected belonged to the genus Aedes, with 14 species recognised or suspected vectors of arboviruses. Species belonging to the Neomelaniconion su...

Background There is a paucity of recent data and knowledge on mosquito diversity and potential vectors of arboviruses in South Africa, with most of the available data dating back to the 1950s–1970s. Aedes and Culex species are the major vectors of some of the principal arboviruses which have emerged and re-emerged in the past few decades. Methods In this study we used entomological surveillance in selected areas in the north-eastern parts of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 to assess mosquito diversity, with special emphasis on the Aedes species. The impact of trap types and environmental conditions was also investigated. Identification of the blood meal sources of engorged females collected during the study period was carried out, and DNA barcodes were generated for selected species. Results Overall, 18.5% of the total Culicidae mosquitoes collected belonged to the genus Aedes, with 14 species recognised or suspected vectors of arboviruses. Species belonging to the Neomelaniconion su...

Culex quinquefasciatus is a mosquito of importance to public health, as it represents a real and/or potential risk for the transmission of pathogens to humans, such as some arthropod-borne viruses and nematodes that cause filariasis. In Brazil, three municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (RMR) that are endemic for lymphatic filariasis conducted control actions targeting this vector. With the goal of contributing novel C. quinquefasciatus collection strategies, a sticky trap capable of collecting eggs and imprisoning mosquitoes was investigated. To evaluate the performance of the sticky BR-OVT trap, tests were carried out in the neighborhoods of Caixa d'Água and Passarinho (Olinda-PE-Brasil) between August 2011 and June 2012. Sixty traps were installed in the indoor areas of residences in the two districts. During the 11-month study, 0.52 [standard deviation (SD) = 1.52] Culex egg rafts, 2.16 (SD = 4.78) C. quinquefasciatus/trap/month, and 0.55 (SD = 1.28) Aedes/tra...

Background: There is a paucity of recent data and knowledge on mosquito diversity and potential vectors of arboviruses in South Africa, with most of the available data dating back to the 1950s-1970s. Aedes and Culex species are the major vectors of some of the principal arboviruses which have emerged and re-emerged in the past few decades. Methods: In this study we used entomological surveillance in selected areas in the northeastern parts of South Africa from 2014 to 2018 to assess mosquito diversity, with special emphasis on the Aedes species. The impact of trap types and environmental conditions was also investigated. Identification of the blood meal sources of engorged females collected during the study period was carried out, and DNA barcodes were generated for selected species. Results: Overall, 18.5% of the total Culicidae mosquitoes collected belonged to the genus Aedes, with 14 species recognised or suspected vectors of arboviruses. Species belonging to the Neomelaniconion subgenus were commonly collected in the Bushveld savanna at conservation areas, especially Aedes mcintoshi and Aedes circumluteolus. Aedes aegypti was present in all sites, albeit in low numbers. Temperature was a limiting factor for the Aedes population, and they were almost exclusively collected at temperatures between 18 °C and 27 °C. The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) barcode fragment was amplified for 21 Aedes species, and for nine of these species it was the first sequence information uploaded on GenBank. Conclusion: This study provides a better understanding of the diversity and relative abundance of Aedes species in the northeast of South Africa. The information provided here will contribute to future arboviral research and implementation of efficient vector control and prevention strategies.

This note reports on occurrences of triatomine species in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, registered between 1988 and 2017. Records of triatomines captured in Sao Paulo are based on specimens received spontaneously from Health Surveillance Centers, Health Centers and Zoonosis Control Centers in the city as well as from citizens. Species were identified morphologically at the Public Health Entomology Laboratory, Faculty of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, where the triatomines, which are vectors of Chagas disease, were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The first reported occurrence of triatomine bugs in urban Sao Paulo was in 1988. The specimen, which was captured in Jardim Sao Luiz district, was from the genus Panstrongylus and was registered as Panstrongylus sp. but was not sexed. Since this first recorded occurrence, the following species have been found in the city: Panstrongylus geniculatus (2 occurrences), P. megistus (15 occurrences), Triatoma infestans (1 occurren...

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. This virus is transmitted through bite of Aedes mosquitoes, in particular Ae. aegypti. On February 1st 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ZIKV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Successively, considering the establishment of Ae. albopictus, WHO has classified Italy as having a moderate likelihood of local transmission of ZIKV, preceded in Europe only by France. For this reason an entomological surveillance plan was been activated in Sardinia in 2016. BG Sentinel Mosquito Traps have been positioned in 29 sites, comprising urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports. Mosquitoes were collected fortnightly from April to December. A total of 3,089 mosquitoes were collected belonging to 10 species. The most numerous species have been Cx. pipiens s.l. and Ae. albopictus. All mosquitoes sampled have been assayed by real time reverse transcriptase PCR for detection of ZIKV RNA. A total of 584 pool have been analyzed and have been reported no evidence of ZIKV. A permanent entomological surveillance should be implemented principally in the urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports, because Ae. albopictus, susceptible to ZIKV, is established in Sardinia and also know the recent introduction of invasive mosquitoes species Ae. koericus and Ae. japonicus in Italy.

Aedes aegypti are vectors of serious and debilitating arbovirus diseases that affect humans as well as domestic and wild animals worldwide. Center for Disease Control oviposition traps were used (January-December, 2019) to monitor oviposition in four sampling entities within Kano Metropolis. No oviposition activity was observed throughout the dry season with 0.00% Ovitrap Index across all locations. Oviposition activity of the mosquitoes was moderately distributed (50%) during the rainy season. Gardens had the highest oviposition activity during the rainy season (OI = 50±35%, p>0.05). Chi-square of the seasonal mean OI revealed that Aedes aegypti oviposition depends significantly (p<0.05) on season of the year with rainy season having OI of 31±9% and 0.00±0.00% for dry season. This study underscores the relevance of entomological surveillance through establishing the presence, seasonal population dynamics and identifying hot spot areas of Aedes aegypti in Kano Metropolis.

Rapid reinfestation of insecticide-treated dwellings hamper the sustained elimination of Triatoma infestans, the main vector of Chagas disease in the Gran Chaco region. We conducted a seven-year longitudinal study including community-wide spraying with pyrethroid insecticides combined with periodic vector surveillance to investigate the house reinfestation process in connection with baseline pyrethroid resistance, housing quality and household mobility in a rural section of Pampa del Indio mainly inhabited by deprived indigenous people (Qom). Despite evidence of moderate pyrethroid resistance in local T. infestans populations, house infestation dropped from 31.9% at baseline to 0.7% at 10 months post-spraying (MPS), with no triatomine found at 59 and 78 MPS. Household-based surveillance corroborated the rare occurrence of T. infestans and the house invasion of other four triatomine species. The annual rates of loss of initially occupied houses and of household mobility were high (4....

Foi realizada uma vigilância entomologica do mosquito tigre ( Aedes albopictus ), vetor de doencas, atraves da utilizacao de armadinhas de ovos (ovitraps), nos municipios de Cartagena e La Union, durante todo um ano. Sao disponibilizados mapas de distribuicao do vetor neste municios; e observada a expansao em comparacao a 2013; sao identificadas areas de interesse para a sua persistencia ao longo do tempo; e mostrada a variacao temporal das populacoes. Em conclusao, sao propostas uma serie de acoes para o controle deste inseto invasivo.

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. This virus is transmitted through bite of Aedes mosquitoes, in particular Ae. aegypti. On February 1st 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ZIKV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Successively, considering the establishment of Ae. albopictus, WHO has classified Italy as having a moderate likelihood of local transmission of ZIKV, preceded in Europe only by France. For this reason an entomological surveillance plan was been activated in Sardinia in 2016. BG Sentinel Mosquito Traps have been positioned in 29 sites, comprising urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports. Mosquitoes were collected fortnightly from April to December. A total of 3,089 mosquitoes were collected belonging to 10 species. The most numerous species have been Cx. pipiens s.l. and Ae. albopictus. All mosquitoes sampled have been assayed by real time reverse transcriptase PCR for d...

Background: Mosquitoes are the principal vector of pathogens to humans throughout the world.  Ports are a primary means to which invasive mosquito species and the pathogens they carry are introduced into new areas and where the mosquito species was once eradicated.Methods: The ports of Porto Cortes (Honduras) and Savannah Port, (USA) were evaluated using the Bioagent Transport and Environmental Modeling System (BioTEMS) invasive species model to determine what species would be most likely to invade and survive in the Jebel Ali Port area (UAE).  The Porto Cortes study site was evaluated to determine if mosquito control using ecofriendly pesticides was practical at the port of origin. Conclusion: The Bioagent Transport and Environmental Modeling System TIGER model provides information that can be utilized to interdict and control invasive mosquito species to reduce the risk they become permanently established. The receiving ports were at risk from mosquito invasion, however, because o...

BackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of great medical and veterinary importance, threatening the health of humans and equines worldwide. Mosquitoes belonging to the Culex (Cx.) pipiens complex are major vectors but numerous other mosquito species have also been implicated as vectors of WNV. Due to variations in blood-feeding behaviour, the different biotypes and hybrids of Cx. pipiens influence the transmission of WNV, from enzootic cycles (between mosquitoes and birds), to spill-over transmission to humans and equines.MethodsIn this study, mosquitoes were collected and analysed from two regional units (RUs) of Greece with reported cases of WNV within the past 4 years; Palaio Flairo and Argolida (in Attica and Peloponnese regions, respectively). Collections using different types of mosquito surveillance traps were undertaken in May-June 2018 during the early period of the WNV transmission season.ResultsA total of 1062 mosquitoes were collected, with Biogents Senti...

From 2016 to 2018, Hidalgo County observed the emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections along with sporadic cases of Dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Due to the emergence of ZIKV and the historical presence of other mosquito-borne illnesses, Hidalgo County obtained funding to enhance mosquito surveillance and educate residents on arboviruses and travel risks. During this time period, Hidalgo County mosquito surveillance efforts increased by 1.275%. This increase resulted in &gt;8000 mosquitoes collected, and 28 mosquito species identified. Aedes aegypti, Ae albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus made up approximately two-thirds of the mosquitoes collected in 2018 (4122/6171). Spatiotemporal shifts in vector species composition were observed as the collection period progressed. Significantly, temperature variations (p &lt; 0.05) accounted for associated variations in vector abundance, whereas all other climate variables were not significant.

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. This virus is transmitted through bite of Aedes mosquitoes, in particular Ae. aegypti. On February 1st 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ZIKV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Successively, considering the establishment of Ae. albopictus, WHO has classified Italy as having a moderate likelihood of local transmission of ZIKV, preceded in Europe only by France. For this reason an entomological surveillance plan was been activated in Sardinia in 2016. BG Sentinel Mosquito Traps have been positioned in 29 sites, comprising urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports. Mosquitoes were collected fortnightly from April to December. A total of 3,089 mosquitoes were collected belonging to 10 species. The most numerous species have been Cx. pipiens s.l. and Ae. albopictus. All mosquitoes sampled have been assayed by real time reverse transcriptase PCR for d...

The invasive species Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus was first identified in north-eastern Italy in 2011, during the ongoing surveillance activity of Aedes albopictus. Following this finding, a more intensive monitoring was carried out to assess the distribution of the species and to collect biological data. Herein, we report the new records obtained by four years of surveillance. The presence of Ae. koreicus was checked using ovitraps, adults traps and by larval collections in all possible breeding sites from May 2011 to July 2015. The monitoring started in the site of the first detection (Province of Belluno) and was then extended in the neighbouring Provinces belonging to four Regions. Aedes koreicus was found in 73 municipalities out of 155 monitored (47.1 %), including 23 municipalities (14.8 %) previously not infested. The area of first detection of Ae. koreicus (Province of Belluno) was also the most infested (68 %). However the mosquito has also been found to the west (Province of ...

In Brazil, the entomological surveillance of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti is performed by government-mandated larval surveys. In this study, the sensitivities of an adult sticky trap and traditional surveillance methodologies were compared. The study was performed over a 12-week period in a residential neighbourhood of the municipality of Pedro Leopoldo, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. An ovitrap and a MosquiTRAP were placed at opposite ends of each neighbourhood block (60 traps in total) and inspections were performed weekly. The study revealed significant correlations of moderate strength between the larval survey, ovitrap and MosquiTRAP measurements. A positive relationship was observed between temperature, adult capture measurements and egg collections, whereas precipitation and frequency of rainy days exhibited a negative relationship.

During a West Nile virus surveillance programme, Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart, 1838) was discovered for the first time in Austria. Two larvae and one female imago were collected from an artificial water storage container in the wine-growing village of Gamlitz (province of Styria) on July 12, 2012 at 450 m.a.s.l., 46°4058,2´N, 15°3151,4´E. Additional specimens of Cs. longiareolata were found on September 8, 2012, when numerous larvae were detected in used car tyres about 160 km westward, in the region of Finkenstein (province of Carinthia). A third site containing larvae of Cs. longiareolata was discovered on October 10, 2012, near Althofen about 60 km northeast of the Finkenstein location. Previously, in May 2012, the latter two sites were negative for Cs. longiareolata. In autumn 2013 Cs. longiareolata was reconfirmed in Carinthia and the first record detected for Slovenia with larvae collected from a rain barrel in a location approximately 6 km north-northeast of the city of Maribor, on September 1, 2013 at 288 m.a.s.l., 46°3959,8´N, 15°3942,2´E. It is proposed that Cs. longiareolata was not passively introduced along a major transportation route, but has either actively invaded from neighbouring Italy and Slovenia into the south of Austria within the last few decades and/or has remained undetected owing to its cryptic occurrence on account of its belated activity at the end of summer and during autumn.

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. This virus is transmitted through bite of Aedes mosquitoes, in particular Ae. aegypti. On February 1st 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ZIKV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Successively, considering the establishment of Ae. albopictus, WHO has classified Italy as having a moderate likelihood of local transmission of ZIKV, preceded in Europe only by France. For this reason an entomological surveillance plan was been activated in Sardinia in 2016. BG Sentinel Mosquito Traps have been positioned in 29 sites, comprising urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports. Mosquitoes were collected fortnightly from April to December. A total of 3,089 mosquitoes were collected belonging to 10 species. The most numerous species have been Cx. pipiens s.l. and Ae. albopictus. All mosquitoes sampled have been assayed by real time reverse transcriptase PCR for d...

Background: Mosquitoes are transmitters of several human diseases including, malaria, filariasis, West Nile virus and Rift Valley fever virus. To planified and succeful any mosquito vector control, a good understanding of the occurrence of specific important vector species, their abundance and distribution are needed. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the mosquito potential vectors distributed throughout Tonga Lake region, a part of National Park of El-Kala situated in northeastern Algeria and to discuss the epidemiological importance of these insects. Results: Thirteen species representing five genera were identified: Ae. brelandi, Ae. vexans, An. plumbeus, An. labranchiae, Cx. pipiens s. l., Cx. perexiguus, Cx. theileri, Cx. pusillus, Cx. modestus, Cx. impudicus, Cs. longiareolata, Cs. annulata, Ur. unguiculata. The dominant species was Cx. pipiens s. l. with more than 70%. Conclusion: The occurrence of Aedes, Anopheles and Culex is suggestive of the presence of a ri...

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that caused a large outbreak in the Americas in 2015 and 2016. The virus is currently present in tropical areas around the globe and can cause severe disease in humans, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and congenital microcephaly. The tropical yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is the main vector in the urban transmission cycles of ZIKV. The discovery of ZIKV in wild-caught Culex mosquitoes and the ability of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to transmit ZIKV in the laboratory raised the question of whether the common house mosquito Culex pipiens, which is abundantly present in temperate regions in North America, Asia and Europe, could also be involved in ZIKV transmission. In this study, we investigated the vector competence of Cx. pipiens (biotypes molestus and pipiens) from the Netherlands for ZIKV, using Usutu virus as a control. After an infectious blood meal containing ZIKV, none of the tested mosquitoes accumulated ZIKV in th...

Some mosquito species have significant public health importance given their ability to transmit major diseases to humans and animals, making them the deadliest animals in the world. Among these, the Aedes (Ae.) genus is a vector of several viruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses that can cause serious pathologies in humans. Since 2004, Ae. albopictus has been encountered in the South of France, and autochthonous cases of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika diseases have recently been reported, further highlighting the need for a comprehensive survey of the mosquitoes and their associated viruses in this area. Using high throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques, we report an analysis of the DNA and RNA viral communities of three mosquito species Ae. albopictus, Culex (Cx.) pipiens, and Culiseta (Cs.) longiareolata vectors of human infectious diseases in a small sub-urban city in the South of France. Results revealed the presence of a significant diversity of viruses known to in...

Some mosquito species have significant public health importance given their ability to transmit major diseases to humans and animals, making them the deadliest animals in the world. Among these, the Aedes (Ae.) genus is a vector of several viruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses that can cause serious pathologies in humans. Since 2004, Ae. albopictus has been encountered in the South of France, and autochthonous cases of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika diseases have recently been reported, further highlighting the need for a comprehensive survey of the mosquitoes and their associated viruses in this area. Using high throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques, we report an analysis of the DNA and RNA viral communities of three mosquito species Ae. albopictus, Culex (Cx.) pipiens, and Culiseta (Cs.) longiareolata vectors of human infectious diseases in a small sub-urban city in the South of France. Results revealed the presence of a significant diversity of viruses known to in...

Some mosquito species have significant public health importance given their ability to transmit major diseases to humans and animals, making them the deadliest animals in the world. Among these, the Aedes (Ae.) genus is a vector of several viruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses that can cause serious pathologies in humans. Since 2004, Ae. albopictus has been encountered in the South of France, and autochthonous cases of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika diseases have recently been reported, further highlighting the need for a comprehensive survey of the mosquitoes and their associated viruses in this area. Using high throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques, we report an analysis of the DNA and RNA viral communities of three mosquito species Ae. albopictus, Culex (Cx.) pipiens, and Culiseta (Cs.) longiareolata vectors of human infectious diseases in a small sub-urban city in the South of France. Results revealed the presence of a significant diversity of viruses known to in...

Background Only the sylvatic and zoophilic population of Aedes aegypti was formerly identified in southeastern Senegal. A newly established anthropophilic population was detected in the urban area of the Kedougou city. Because of its new behavior, this species could play a primary role in the transmission of dengue and other arboviruses in this area. Because these arboviruses have no vaccine and specific treatments, vector control remains the only effective way to control their outbreaks. Effective vector control strategies require to understand some aspects of the bioecology of the vector, specially resting behavior. The aims of this study were to investigate the sites and resting behavior of Ae. aegypti in southeastern Senegal. Methods Mosquitoes were collected in several potential resting places (rooms, tires, bricks and scrap metal) by two technicians using a CDC back-pack aspirator in the Kedougou bus station and other sites within the city and the nearby rural area. Collected ...

Even during outbreaks, detection of Zika virus (ZIKV; genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae) in its mosquito vectors is surprisingly uncommon. Here we explore the reason for this apparent paradox and suggest strategies for improving the efficacy of ZIKV detection. There are several likely explanations for the rarity of ZIKV detection in field-collected mosquitoes during outbreaks, including the lag between the period when people are clinically ill and the initiation of entomological investigations, the prompt spraying of houses of identified cases, the difficulty of identifying some of the households of ZIKV infected cases, and the low efficiency of the sampling methods currently available. Thus, timely entomological investigation of suspected cases before the intervention of the vector control squad would enhance ZIKV detection from mosquitoes. For this to happen, administrative, financial and logistical issues must be solved before the beginning of outbreaks, and routine entomolog...

Background: With the advance of globalization and the decline of wild habitats, mosquito-borne viruses are no longer confined to their original sylvatic environments and are emerging or remerging worldwide. However, little is known about the mosquito species implicated in the spillovers of these viruses from their enzootic cycles. Method: We conducted an entomological field survey to catalogue the relative abundance of the Culicidae fauna in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in the Dschang locality in West Cameroon. Mosquitoes were collected from March-April and July-August 2019 at both aquatic and adult stages, and identified using stereomicroscopes and morphological identification keys. Results: A total of 1,401 mosquitoes belonging to 4 genera and 26 species were collected (n=427, 470 and 504 in rural, peri-urban and urban areas respectively). The most abundant species Aedes africanus (45.47%) as well as Culex moucheti (8.92 %) were encountered in peri-urban and rural environment...

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arbovirus infection endemic in multiple countries spread from Asia, Africa to the Americas and Europe. Previously known to cause rare and fairly benign human infections, ZIKV has become a major international public health emergency after being linked to unexpected neurological complications, that includes fetal brain damage/death and microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in adults. It appears that a single genetic mutation in the ZIKV genome, likely acquired during explosive ZIKV outbreak in French Polynesia (2013), made virus causing mild disease to target fetus brain. The Aedes mosquitoes are found to be the main carrier of ZIKV, passing the virus to humans. Originally isolated from patients in Africa in 1954 (African lineage), virus disseminated to Southeast Asia (Asian lineage), establishing new endemic foci, including one in India. Numerous cases of ZIKV infection have been reported in several locations in India and neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh since mid of the last century, suggesting that the virus reached this part of Asia soon after it was first discovered in Uganda in 1947. Although, the exact means by which ZIKV was introduced to India remains unknown, it appears that the ZIKV strain circulating in India possibly belongs to the "Asian lineage," which has not yet been associated with microcephaly and other neurological disorders. However, there still exists a threat that the contemporary ZIKV virulent strain from South America, carrying a mutation can return to Asia, posing a potential crisis to newborns and adult patients. Currently there is no specific vaccine or antiviral medication to combat ZIKV infection, thus, vector control and continuous monitoring of potential ZIKV exposure is essential to prevent the devastating consequences similar to the ones experienced in Brazil. However, the major obstacle faced by Indian healthcare agencies is that most cases of ZIKV infection have been reported in rural areas that lack access to rapid diagnosis of infection. In this review, we attempt to present a comprehensive analysis of what is currently known about the ZIKV infection in India and the neighboring countries.

The recent global outbreaks of the ZIKA Virus (ZIKV) reported in 85 countries and territories caused
severe complications such as microcephaly among neonates and Guillain-Barre Syndrome among the
older population. Recently, an outbreak of ZIKV was reported from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city
of Kerala, India with 66 cases being reported so far. We conducted an outbreak investigation and the
primary findings are described here. A cluster of ZIKV cases from the Kadakampalli / Anamugham
administrative wards of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation area was reported where Kerala
Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) is located. Later many ZIKV cases were reported from other wards of
the city. The density of known Aedes vectors was high in this region of the metropolitan city. Aedes
albopictus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes vittatus collected from the focal area of the outbreak were found to
be naturally infected with ZIKV. Male specimens of Ae. albopictus were naturally infected, indicating
trans-ovarian transmission of the virus. This is first report of incrimination of Ae. albopictus and Ae.
vittatus in ZIKV transmission from India. The virus was characterized and the partial sequences clustered
with the Asian strain of ZIKV reported from India. The NS5 sequences of human and Ae. albopictus pools
from Thiruvananthapuram were 100% similar indicating an ongoing active ZIKV transmission.
The state health authorities were sensitized and appropriate containment and vector control measures
have been initiated to contain the outbreak. This report underscores the importance of continued human
and vector surveillance as well as genomic sequencing to understand the virus evolution and
implications on public health.

Background Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Although Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) which can potentially transmit viruses from the same family (Flavivirus) such as West Nile, dengue and yellow fever, at least under laboratory conditions, have been incriminated as potential vector for ZIKV. Among these, the Asian bush mosquito Ae. japonicus is widely spread with high abundances in Central-Western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14-27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results Both populations were positive for ZIKV transmission. Infectious virus particles were present ...

Background Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Although Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) which can potentially transmit viruses from the same family (Flavivirus) such as West Nile, dengue and yellow fever, at least under laboratory conditions, have been incriminated as potential vector for ZIKV. Among these, the Asian bush mosquito Ae. japonicus is widely spread with high abundances in Central-Western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14-27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results Both populations were positive for ZIKV transmission. Infectious virus particles were present ...

Background Three arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) causing human disease have been the focus of a large number of studies in the Americas since 2013 due to their global spread and epidemiological impacts: Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. A large proportion of infections by these viruses are asymptomatic. However, all three viruses are associated with moderate to severe health consequences in a small proportion of cases. Two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are among the world's most prominent arboviral vectors, and are known vectors for all three viruses in the Americas. Objectives This review summarizes the state of the entomological literature surrounding the mosquito vectors of Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses and factors affecting virus transmission. The rationale of the review was to identify and characterize entomological studies that have been conducted in the Americas since the introduction of chikungunya virus in 2013, encompassing a period of arbovirus co-circulation, and guide future research based on identified knowledge gaps. Methods The preliminary search for this review was conducted on PubMed (National Library of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States). The search included the terms 'zika' OR 'dengue'

Many barriers undermine vector surveillance and control efforts in the United States. Experts warn that such barriers, including funding, threaten the capacity of public-health surveillance systems to detect emerging mosquito-borne disease and respond appropriately, timely and effectively. This chapter explores the status, barriers, and corrective strategies to effective mosquito surveillance and control in the US based on experiences and insights of the 35 interviewed representatives of diverse mosquito-control programs selected from 18 U.S. states. Although our interest is in mosquito-borne diseases, we focus on the 2016 Zika outbreak. For the most part, this chapter will outline issues relating to mosquito control and surveillance that have persistent among state, county and municipal programs as a result of insufficient and unreliable funding, inadequate trained personnel, poor facilities, and inadequate political support. At the community level, we will discuss issues that hinder mosquito control efforts including apathy and low public awareness, and provide examples of how mosquito control agencies have adapted to "readily" respond to changing vector-borne disease environments, demands and constrained funding.

Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), as well as yellow fever (YFV) viruses are transmitted to humans by Aedes spp. females. In Salvador, the largest urban center in north-eastern Brazil, the four DENV types have been circulating, and more recently, CHIKV and ZIKV have also become common. We studied the role of storm drains as Aedes larval development and adult resting sites in four neighbourhoods of Salvador, representing different socioeconomic, infrastructure and topographic conditions. A sample of 122 storm drains in the four study sites were surveyed twice during a 4-month period in 2015; in 49.0 % of the visits, the storm drains contained water. Adults and immatures of Aedes aegypti were captured in two of the four sites, and adults and immatures of Aedes albopictus were captured in one of these two sites. A total of 468 specimens were collected: 148 Ae. aegypti (38 adults and 110 immatures), 79 Ae. albopictus (48 adults and 31 immatures), and 241 non-Aedes (mainly ...

ObjectiveTo describe the Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH)mosquito surveillance capacity before and after Zika virus wasdeclared a public health emergency, review and compare mosquitosurveillance results from 2015 to 2016, and evaluate the risk ofautochthonous vector transmission of Zika virus based on 2016surveillance data ofAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictusmosquitoes.IntroductionZika virus was declared an international public health emergencyby the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. WithGeorgia hosting the world’s busiest international airport and a sub-tropical climate that can support the primary Zika virus vector,Aedesaegypti,and secondary vector, Aedes albopictus,the CDC designatedGeorgia as a high risk state for vector transmission. Faced with alack of mosquito surveillance data to evaluate risk of autochthonoustransmission and a few counties statewide that provide comprehensivemosquito control, the DPH rapidly scaled up a response. DPH updatedexisting mo...

ObjectiveTo describe the Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH)mosquito surveillance capacity before and after Zika virus wasdeclared a public health emergency, review and compare mosquitosurveillance results from 2015 to 2016, and evaluate the risk ofautochthonous vector transmission of Zika virus based on 2016surveillance data ofAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictusmosquitoes.IntroductionZika virus was declared an international public health emergencyby the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. WithGeorgia hosting the world’s busiest international airport and a sub-tropical climate that can support the primary Zika virus vector,Aedesaegypti,and secondary vector, Aedes albopictus,the CDC designatedGeorgia as a high risk state for vector transmission. Faced with alack of mosquito surveillance data to evaluate risk of autochthonoustransmission and a few counties statewide that provide comprehensivemosquito control, the DPH rapidly scaled up a response. DPH updatedexisting mo...

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Recent scientific evidence on Culex quinquefasciatus has suggested its potential as a vector for ZIKV, which may change the current risk zones. We aimed to quantify the world population potentially exposed to ZIKV in a spatially explicit way, considering the primary vector (A. aegypti) and the potential vector (C. quinquefasciatus). Our model combined species distribution modelling of mosquito species with spatially explicit human population data to estimate ZIKV exposure risk. We estimated the potential global distribution of C. quinquefasciatus and estimated its potential interaction zones with A. aegypti. Then we evaluated the risk zones for ZIKV considering both vectors. Finally, we quantified and compared the people under risk associated with each vector by risk level, country and continent. We found that C. quinquefasciatus had a more temperate distribution until 42° in both hemispheres, while th...

This investigation was initiated to control Aedes aegypti and Zika virus transmission in Caguas City, Puerto Rico, during the 2016 epidemic using Integrated Vector Management (IVM), which included community awareness and education, source reduction, larviciding, and mass-trapping with autocidal gravid ovitraps (AGO). The epidemic peaked in August to October 2016 and waned after April 2017. There was a preintervention period in October/November 2016 and IVM lasted until August 2017. The area under treatment (23.1 km2) had 61,511 inhabitants and 25,363 buildings. The city was divided into eight even clusters and treated following a cluster randomized stepped-wedge design. We analyzed pools of female Ae. aegypti adults for RNA detection of dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses using 360 surveillance AGO traps every week. Rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity were monitored in each cluster. Mosquito density significantly changed (generalized linear mixed mod...

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a RNA virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. This virus
is transmitted through bite of Aedes mosquitoes, in particular Ae. aegypti. On February 1st 2016,
the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ZIKV a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern. Successively, considering the establishment of Ae. albopictus, WHO
has classified Italy as having a moderate likelihood of local transmission of ZIKV, preceded
in Europe only by France. For this reason an entomological surveillance plan was been
activated in Sardinia in 2016. BG Sentinel Mosquito Traps have been positioned in 29 sites,
comprising urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports. Mosquitoes were collected
fortnightly from April to December. A total of 3,089 mosquitoes were collected belonging
to 10 species. The most numerous species have been Cx. pipiens s.l. and Ae. albopictus. All
mosquitoes sampled have been assayed by real time reverse transcriptase PCR for detection
of ZIKV RNA. A total of 584 pool have been analyzed and have been reported no evidence
of ZIKV. A permanent entomological surveillance should be implemented principally in the
urban areas and points of entry, as ports and airports, because Ae. albopictus, susceptible to
ZIKV, is established in Sardinia and also know the recent introduction of invasive mosquitoes
species Ae. koericus and Ae. japonicus in Italy.