scholarly journals Highlights of Medical Entomology 2018: The Importance of Sustainable Surveillance of Vectors and Vector-Borne Pathogens

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1183-1187
Author(s):  
Roxanne Connelly
Keyword(s):  
Virus Detection ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Medical Entomology ◽  
Cache Valley Virus ◽  
Entomological Society ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Joint Annual Meeting ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Difficult Challenge

Abstract The theme of the 2018 Entomological Society of America, Entomological Society of Canada, and Entomological Society of British Columbia Joint Annual Meeting was Crossing Borders: Entomology in a Changing World. Following the theme of the meeting, papers selected for the 2018 ‘Highlights of Medical Entomology’ included reports of expanded ranges for Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex coronator Dyar and Knab (Diptera: Culicidae), Mansonia titillans (Walker) (Diptera: Culicidae), and Wyeomyia mitchellii (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae); a first report of mosquito feeding on earthworms and leeches; Cache Valley virus detection in Ae. j. japonicus; surveillance in high-risk areas of Canada for Lyme Disease; and increasing lone-star tick detections in Connecticut. The selection of papers served as a reminder of the increasingly difficult challenge of sustaining vector surveillance programs. Fluctuating funding and a decline in vector taxonomists and identification expertise contribute to the erosion of vector surveillance.

scholarly journals The Role of Mosquito Surveillance in Monitoring Arboviral Infections in Croatia

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Nataša Janev Holcer ◽  
Krunoslav Capak ◽  
Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek ◽  
Pavle Jeličić ◽  
Lovro Bucić
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
National Level ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne

In accordance with the noticed growing trend in the number of vector-borne disease cases, the extent of public health significance of this problem is also increasing. However, the strengthening of capacities for suppression of these outbreaks is present. With the aim of protecting population from arbovirus infections, there is a need for continuous monitoring and evaluation of risk factors related to vectors and vector borne diseases and human health, for which data is acquired through monitoring programs. In order to address these issues, several activities must be integrated and taken into consideration: vector surveillance, entomological activity, early detection system, preventive measures, counter-epidemic measures and virus detection in vectors, reservoirs or infected animals. There is a legal framework regarding mosquito monitoring on a local, as well as national level. Additionally, at the initiative of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, invasive mosquito species monitoring is being implemented and continuously conducted since 2016.

scholarly journals Space–Time Clustering Characteristics of Malaria in Bhutan at the End Stages of Elimination

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5553
Author(s):  
Kinley Wangdi ◽  
Kinley Penjor ◽  
Tobgyal ◽  
Saranath Lawpoolsri ◽  
Ric N. Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Program ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Spatial Clusters ◽  
Scan Statistic ◽  
Disease Control Program ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Program Data ◽  
Time Scan

Malaria in Bhutan has fallen significantly over the last decade. As Bhutan attempts to eliminate malaria in 2022, this study aimed to characterize the space–time clustering of malaria from 2010 to 2019. Malaria data were obtained from the Bhutan Vector-Borne Disease Control Program data repository. Spatial and space–time cluster analyses of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax cases were conducted at the sub-district level from 2010 to 2019 using Kulldorff’s space–time scan statistic. A total of 768 confirmed malaria cases, including 454 (59%) P. vivax cases, were reported in Bhutan during the study period. Significant temporal clusters of cases caused by both species were identified between April and September. The most likely spatial clusters were detected in the central part of Bhutan throughout the study period. The most likely space–time cluster was in Sarpang District and neighboring districts between January 2010 to June 2012 for cases of infection with both species. The most likely cluster for P. falciparum infection had a radius of 50.4 km and included 26 sub-districts with a relative risk (RR) of 32.7. The most likely cluster for P. vivax infection had a radius of 33.6 km with 11 sub-districts and RR of 27.7. Three secondary space–time clusters were detected in other parts of Bhutan. Spatial and space–time cluster analysis identified high-risk areas and periods for both P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria. Both malaria types showed significant spatial and spatiotemporal variations. Operational research to understand the drivers of residual transmission in hotspot sub-districts will help to overcome the final challenges of malaria elimination in Bhutan.

scholarly journals A Simple Method to Identify Triatomine (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Feces in Sensing Devices Used in Vector Surveillance Programs

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Gürtler ◽  
M. L. Oneto ◽  
M. C. Cecere ◽  
M. B. Castañera ◽  
D. M. Canale
Keyword(s):  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Surveillance Programs

scholarly journals Highlights of Medical Entomology, 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris M Stone
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Life History ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Chemical Ecology ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Vector Ecology ◽  
Medical Entomology ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
And Control ◽  
Incredible Year

Abstract Medical Entomology as a field is inherently global – thriving on international and interdisciplinary collaborations and affected dramatically by arthropod and pathogen invasions and introductions. This past year also will be remembered as the year in which the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 pandemic affected every part of our lives and professional activities and impacted (or changed, sometimes in good ways) our ability to collaborate and detect or respond to invasions. This incredible year is the backdrop for the 2020 Highlights in Medical Entomology. This article highlights the broad scope of approaches and disciplines represented in the 2020 published literature, ranging from sensory and chemical ecology, population genetics, impacts of human-mediated environmental change on vector ecology, life history and the evolution of vector behaviors, to the latest developments in vector surveillance and control.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Public Health Threats Posed by Vector-Borne Disease in the United Kingdom (UK)

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolyon Medlock ◽  
Kayleigh Hansford ◽  
Alexander Vaux ◽  
Ben Cull ◽  
Emma Gillingham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Vector Borne Disease ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Uk

In recent years, the known distribution of vector-borne diseases in Europe has changed, with much new information also available now on the status of vectors in the United Kingdom (UK). For example, in 2016, the UK reported their first detection of the non-native mosquito Aedes albopictus, which is a known vector for dengue and chikungunya virus. In 2010, Culex modestus, a principal mosquito vector for West Nile virus was detected in large numbers in the Thames estuary. For tick-borne diseases, data on the changing distribution of the Lyme borreliosis tick vector, Ixodes ricinus, has recently been published, at a time when there has been an increase in the numbers of reported human cases of Lyme disease. This paper brings together the latest surveillance data and pertinent research on vector-borne disease in the UK, and its relevance to public health. It highlights the need for continued vector surveillance systems to monitor our native mosquito and tick fauna, as well as the need to expand surveillance for invasive species. It illustrates the importance of maintaining surveillance capacity that is sufficient to ensure accurate and timely disease risk assessment to help mitigate the UK’s changing emerging infectious disease risks, especially in a time of climatic and environmental change and increasing global connectivity.

scholarly journals Detection of Cell-Fusing Agent virus across ecologically diverse populations of Aedes aegypti on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Claire L. Jeffries ◽  
Mia White ◽  
Louisia Wilson ◽  
Laith Yakob ◽  
Thomas Walker
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Fever Virus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Caribbean Islands ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Saint Lucia

Background. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne arboviral diseases including dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), yellow fever virus (YFV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have recently occurred in the Caribbean. The geographical range of the principal vectors responsible for transmission, Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus are increasing and greater mosquito surveillance is needed in the Caribbean given international tourism is so prominent. The island of Saint Lucia has seen outbreaks of DENV and CHIKV in the past five years but vector surveillance has been limited with the last studies dating back to the late 1970s. Natural disasters have changed the landscape of Saint Lucia and the island has gone through significant urbanisation. Methods. In this study, we conducted an entomological survey of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus distribution across the island and analysed environmental parameters associated with the presence of these species in addition to screening for medically important arboviruses and other flaviviruses. Results. Although we collected Ae. aegypti across a range of sites across the island, no Ae. albopictus were collected despite traps being placed in diverse ecological settings. The number of Ae. aegypti collected was significantly associated with higher elevation, and semi-urban settings yielded female mosquito counts per trap-day that were five-fold lower than urban settings. Screening for arboviruses revealed a high prevalence of cell-fusing agent virus (CFAV). Conclusions. Outbreaks of arboviruses transmitted by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus have a history of occurring in small tropical islands and Saint Lucia is particularly vulnerable given the limited resources available to undertake vector control and manage outbreaks. Surveillance strategies can identify risk areas for predicting future outbreaks. Further research is needed to determine the diversity of current mosquito species, investigate insect-specific viruses, as well as pathogenic arboviruses, and this should also be extended to the neighbouring smaller Caribbean islands.

scholarly journals Rapid assessment of West Nile virus circulation in a German zoo based on honey-baited FTA cards in combination with box gravid traps

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noelle Fynmore ◽  
Renke Lühken ◽  
Heike Maisch ◽  
Tina Risch ◽  
Sabine Merz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Gravid Female ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Mass Trapping ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Fta Cards

Abstract Background For over a decade, monitoring of West Nile virus (WNV) in Germany has consisted of a bird monitoring programme as well as a mosquito-based surveillance programme employing CO2-baited encephalitis vector surveillance (EVS) traps for mass trapping and screening of mosquitoes. In contrast to the EVS traps, the Reiter/Cummings type box gravid trap collects gravid female mosquitoes, which have already taken a blood meal, increasing the likelihood of being infected with pathogens. The traps can be equipped with a honey-baited Flinders Technology Associates® (FTA) card to encourage sugar feeding by the trapped mosquitoes. FTA cards contain nucleic acid preserving substances, which prevent the degradation of viral RNA in the expectorated mosquito saliva and allows for testing the card for flavivirus RNA. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the method for WNV surveillance in Germany as an alternative to previous methods, which are expensive, time-consuming, and predominantly target host-seeking populations less likely to be infected with WNV. Methods In the Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) died of WNV infections in July and August 2020. In response, five Reiter/Cummings type box gravid traps were positioned during the daytime on the 10th, 13th, and 16th of September in five different locations. The FTA cards and mosquitoes in the chamber were collected, kept in a cool chain, and further processed for virus detection using a modified generic flavivirus reverse transcription PCR. Results A total of 15 trappings during September collected a total of 259 female mosquitoes, 97% of which were Culex pipiens sensu lato, as well as 14 honey-baited FTA cards. Eight mosquitoes tested PCR-positive for WNV. Four FTA cards tested PCR-positive for mosquito-borne flaviviruses, two of which were confirmed as WNV, and the remaining two confirmed as Usutu virus. Conclusion The suitability of the FTA cards in preserving viral RNA in the field and rapid turnaround time from collection to result is combined with a simple, cost-effective, and highly specific trapping method to create an arbovirus surveillance system, which circumvents many of the difficulties of previous surveillance programmes that required the analysis of mosquitoes in the laboratory. Graphical Abstract

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