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Klafke F, Barros VG, Henning E. Solid waste management and Aedes aegypti infestation interconnections: A regression tree application. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2023; 41:1684-1696. [PMID: 37013436 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x231164318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Public health is at the core of all environmental and anthropic impacts. Urban and territorial planners should include public health concerns in their plans. Basic sanitation infrastructure is essential to maintaining public health and social and economic development. This infrastructure deficiency causes diseases, death and economic losses in developing countries. Framing interconnections among health, sanitation, urbanization and circular economy will assist sustainable development goal achievements. This study aims to identify the relationships between solid waste management indicators in Brazil and the Aedes aegypti mosquito infestation index. Regression trees were employed for modelling due to the complexity and characteristics of the data. The analyses were performed separately from data collected from 3501 municipalities and 42 indicators from the country's five regions. Results show that expenses and personnel indicators were the most critical indicators (in the mid-western, southeastern and southern regions), operational (northeastern (NE) region) and management (northern region). The mean absolute errors ranged from 0.803 (southern region) to 2.507 (NE region). Regional analyses indicate that the municipalities with better SWM results display lower infestation rates in buildings and residences. This research is innovative as it analyses infestation rates rather than dengue prevalence, using a machine learning method, in a multidisciplinary research field that needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Klafke
- Department of Civil Engineering, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Joinville, SC, Brazil
| | - Virgínia Grace Barros
- Risk and Disaster Management Coordinated Group (CEPED), Department of Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Hydrology, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Joinville, SC, Brazil
| | - Elisa Henning
- Department of Mathematics, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Joinville, SC, Brazil
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Cevidanes A, Goiri F, Barandika JF, Vázquez P, Goikolea J, Zuazo A, Etxarri N, Ocio G, García-Pérez AL. Invasive Aedes mosquitoes in an urban-peri-urban gradient in northern Spain: evidence of the wide distribution of Aedes japonicus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:234. [PMID: 37452412 PMCID: PMC10349466 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05862-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expansion of invasive mosquitoes throughout Europe has increased in recent decades. In northern Spain, Aedes albopictus was detected for the first time in 2014, and Aedes japonicus was detected in the three Basque provinces in 2020. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of these mosquito species and their association with factors related to urbanization. METHODS In 2021, a total of 568 ovitraps were deployed in 113 sampling sites from 45 municipalities with > 10,000 inhabitants. Oviposition substrate sticks were replaced each fortnight and examined for Aedes eggs from June to November. Aedes eggs were counted, and the eggs from a selection of positive oviposition sticks, encompassing at least one stick from each positive ovitrap, were hatched following their life cycle until the adult stage. When egg hatching was not successful, PCR targeting the COI gene and sequencing of amplicons were carried out. RESULTS Eggs were detected in 66.4% of the sampling sites and in 32.4% of the ovitraps distributed in the three provinces of the Basque Country. Aedes albopictus and Ae. japonicus were widespread in the studied area, confirming their presence in 23 and 26 municipalities, respectively. Co-occurrence of both species was observed in 11 municipalities. The analysis of the presence of Aedes invasive mosquitoes and the degree of urbanization (urban, suburban, peri-urban) revealed that Ae. albopictus showed a 4.39 times higher probability of being found in suburban areas than in peri-urban areas, whereas Ae. japonicus had a higher probability of being found in peri-urban areas. Moreover, the presence of Ae. albopictus was significantly associated with municipalities with a higher population density (mean = 2983 inh/km2), whereas Ae. japonicus was associated with lower population density (mean = 1590 inh/km2). CONCLUSIONS The wide distribution of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus observed confirmed the spread and establishment of these species in northern Spain. A new colonization area of Ae. japonicus in Europe was confirmed. Due to the potential impact of Aedes invasive mosquitoes on public health and according to our results, surveillance programs and control plans should be designed considering different urbanization gradients, types of environments, and population density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Cevidanes
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Fátima Goiri
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Jesús F. Barandika
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Patricia Vázquez
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Joseba Goikolea
- Subdirección de Salud Pública de Gipuzkoa, Eusko Jaurlaritza-Gobierno Vasco, Donostia, Gipuzkoa Spain
| | - Ander Zuazo
- Dirección de Sanidad Ambiental e Higiene Urbana, Área de Salud y Consumo del Ayuntamiento de Bilbao, Bilbao, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Natalia Etxarri
- Dirección de Medio Ambiente, Sección de Sanidad Alimentaria y Zoonosis del Ayuntamiento de Donostia, Donostia, Gipuzkoa Spain
| | - Gurutze Ocio
- Departamento de Deporte y Salud, Servicio de Salud Pública, Unidad Sanitaria de Consumo del Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba Spain
| | - Ana L. García-Pérez
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia Spain
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McMillan JR, Chaves LF, Armstrong PM. Ecological predictors of mosquito population and arbovirus transmission synchrony estimates. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:564-574. [PMID: 36964697 PMCID: PMC10179454 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying synchrony in species population fluctuations and determining its driving factors can inform multiple aspects of ecological and epidemiological research and policy decisions. We examined seasonal mosquito and arbovirus surveillance data collected in Connecticut, United States from 2001 to 2020 to quantify spatial relationships in 19 mosquito species and 7 arboviruses timeseries accounting for environmental factors such as climate and land cover characteristics. We determined that mosquito collections, on average, were significantly correlated up to 10 km though highly variable among the examined species. Few arboviruses displayed any synchrony and significant maximum correlated distances never exceeded 5 km. After accounting for distance, mixed effects models showed that mosquito or arbovirus identity explained more variance in synchrony estimates than climate or land cover factors. Correlated mosquito collections up to 10-20 km suggest that mosquito control operations for nuisance and disease vectors alike must expand treatment zones to regional scales for operations to have population-level impacts. Species identity matters as well, and some mosquito species will require much larger treatment zones than others. The much shorter correlated detection distances for arboviruses reinforce the notion that focal-level processes drive vector-borne pathogen transmission dynamics and risk of spillover into human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R McMillan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luis Fernando Chaves
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Philip M Armstrong
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, USA
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Garamszegi LZ, Soltész Z, Kurucz K, Szentiványi T. Using community science data to assess the association between urbanization and the presence of invasive Aedes species in Hungary. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:158. [PMID: 37147691 PMCID: PMC10161419 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05780-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urbanization can be a significant contributor to the spread of invasive mosquito vector species, and the diseases they carry, as urbanized habitats provide access to a great density of food resources (humans and domestic animals) and offer abundant breeding sites for these vectors. Although anthropogenic landscapes are often associated with the presence of invasive mosquito species, we still have little understanding about the relationships between some of these and the built environment. METHODS This study explores the association between urbanization level and the occurrence of invasive Aedes species, specifically Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Aedes koreicus, in Hungary, using data from a community (or citizen) science program undertaken between 2019 and 2022. RESULTS The association between each of these species and urbanized landscapes within an extensive geographic area was found to differ. Using the same standardized approach, Ae. albopictus showed a statistically significant and positive relationship with urbanization, whereas Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus did not. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the importance of community science to mosquito research, as the data gathered using this approach can be used to make qualitative comparisons between species to explore their ecological requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Zsolt Garamszegi
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary.
- National Laboratory for Health Security, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zoltán Soltész
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary
| | - Kornélia Kurucz
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamara Szentiványi
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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Bakran-Lebl K, Pree S, Brenner T, Daroglou E, Eigner B, Griesbacher A, Gunczy J, Hufnagl P, Jäger S, Jerrentrup H, Klocker L, Paill W, Petermann JS, Barogh BS, Schwerte T, Suchentrunk C, Wieser C, Wortha LN, Zechmeister T, Zezula D, Zimmermann K, Zittra C, Allerberger F, Fuehrer HP. First Nationwide Monitoring Program for the Detection of Potentially Invasive Mosquito Species in Austria. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030276. [PMID: 35323574 PMCID: PMC8949374 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary In the last years several alien mosquito species have been introduced into Austria. Those species pose a threat, as they—especially the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)—can transmit many pathogens. The aim of this study is a nationwide overview on the situation of alien mosquitoes in Austria. Using traps representing ideal breeding sites for those mosquitoes, we collected, counted and identified the species of the mosquito eggs laid in the traps. The Asian tiger mosquito was found at two sites, once in Tyrol, where this species has been reported before, and for the first time in the province of Lower Austria. The Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) was widespread and abundant in Austria. Although it was found in all provinces, the Asian bush mosquito was more often found in the South than the North and more eggs were collected in urban/industrial/transport areas than in (mostly) natural areas. Further, more eggs from the Asian bush mosquito were found in samples collected at higher daily mean temperatures, and fewer eggs in samples collected at higher daily maximum wind speeds. The results of this study will help to better understand the risk from alien mosquitoes to human health in Austria and will be useful to show future changes in the distribution of those species. Abstract In Austria, only fragmented information on the occurrence of alien and potentially invasive mosquito species exists. The aim of this study is a nationwide overview on the situation of those mosquitoes in Austria. Using a nationwide uniform protocol for the first time, mosquito eggs were sampled with ovitraps at 45 locations in Austria at weekly intervals from May to October 2020. The sampled eggs were counted and the species were identified by genetic analysis. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus was found at two sites, once in Tyrol, where this species has been reported before, and for the first time in the province of Lower Austria, at a motorway rest stop. The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus was widespread in Austria. It was found in all provinces and was the most abundant species in the ovitraps by far. Aedes japonicus was more abundant in the South than in the North and more eggs were found in habitats with artificial surfaces than in (semi-) natural areas. Further, the number of Ae. japonicus eggs increased with higher ambient temperature and decreased with higher wind speed. The results of this study will contribute to a better estimation of the risk of mosquito-borne disease in Austria and will be a useful baseline for a future documentation of changes in the distribution of those species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Bakran-Lebl
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 1096 Vienna, Austria; (P.H.); (F.A.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Stefanie Pree
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | - Thomas Brenner
- GEBL—Gelsenbekaempfung in den Leithaauen, 2452 Mannersdorf, Austria;
| | - Eleni Daroglou
- Verein Biologische Gelsenregulierung March-Thaya Auen, 2273 Hohenau an der March, Austria; (E.D.); (H.J.)
| | - Barbara Eigner
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | - Antonia Griesbacher
- Data, Statistics & Risk Assessment, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Johanna Gunczy
- Universalmuseum Joanneum, Studienzentrum Naturkunde, 8045 Graz, Austria; (J.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Peter Hufnagl
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 1096 Vienna, Austria; (P.H.); (F.A.)
| | - Stefanie Jäger
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.J.); (T.S.)
| | - Hans Jerrentrup
- Verein Biologische Gelsenregulierung March-Thaya Auen, 2273 Hohenau an der March, Austria; (E.D.); (H.J.)
| | | | - Wolfgang Paill
- Universalmuseum Joanneum, Studienzentrum Naturkunde, 8045 Graz, Austria; (J.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Jana S. Petermann
- Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.S.P.); (D.Z.)
| | - Bita Shahi Barogh
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | - Thorsten Schwerte
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.J.); (T.S.)
| | | | | | - Licha N. Wortha
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | | | - David Zezula
- Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.S.P.); (D.Z.)
| | | | - Carina Zittra
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Franz Allerberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 1096 Vienna, Austria; (P.H.); (F.A.)
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
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Gachoki S, Groen T, Vrieling A, Okal M, Skidmore A, Masiga D. Satellite-based modelling of potential tsetse (Glossina pallidipes) breeding and foraging sites using teneral and non-teneral fly occurrence data. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:506. [PMID: 34583766 PMCID: PMC8479894 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05017-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND African trypanosomiasis, which is mainly transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina spp.), is a threat to public health and a significant hindrance to animal production. Tools that can reduce tsetse densities and interrupt disease transmission exist, but their large-scale deployment is limited by high implementation costs. This is in part limited by the absence of knowledge of breeding sites and dispersal data, and tools that can predict these in the absence of ground-truthing. METHODS In Kenya, tsetse collections were carried out in 261 randomized points within Shimba Hills National Reserve (SHNR) and villages up to 5 km from the reserve boundary between 2017 and 2019. Considering their limited dispersal rate, we used in situ observations of newly emerged flies that had not had a blood meal (teneral) as a proxy for active breeding locations. We fitted commonly used species distribution models linking teneral and non-teneral tsetse presence with satellite-derived vegetation cover type fractions, greenness, temperature, and soil texture and moisture indices separately for the wet and dry season. Model performance was assessed with area under curve (AUC) statistics, while the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity was used to classify suitable breeding or foraging sites. RESULTS Glossina pallidipes flies were caught in 47% of the 261 traps, with teneral flies accounting for 37% of these traps. Fitted models were more accurate for the teneral flies (AUC = 0.83) as compared to the non-teneral (AUC = 0.73). The probability of teneral fly occurrence increased with woodland fractions but decreased with cropland fractions. During the wet season, the likelihood of teneral flies occurring decreased as silt content increased. Adult tsetse flies were less likely to be trapped in areas with average land surface temperatures below 24 °C. The models predicted that 63% of the potential tsetse breeding area was within the SHNR, but also indicated potential breeding pockets outside the reserve. CONCLUSION Modelling tsetse occurrence data disaggregated by life stages with time series of satellite-derived variables enabled the spatial characterization of potential breeding and foraging sites for G. pallidipes. Our models provide insight into tsetse bionomics and aid in characterising tsetse infestations and thus prioritizing control areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Gachoki
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), The University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Groen
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), The University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Anton Vrieling
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), The University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Okal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Andrew Skidmore
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), The University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daniel Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Chaves LF, Valerín Cordero JA, Delgado G, Aguilar-Avendaño C, Maynes E, Gutiérrez Alvarado JM, Ramírez Rojas M, Romero LM, Marín Rodríguez R. Modeling the association between Aedes aegypti ovitrap egg counts, multi-scale remotely sensed environmental data and arboviral cases at Puntarenas, Costa Rica (2017–2018). CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2021; 1:100014. [PMID: 35284867 PMCID: PMC8906134 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Problems with vector surveillance are a major barrier for the effective control of vector-borne disease transmission through Latin America. Here, we present results from a 80-week longitudinal study where Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) ovitraps were monitored weekly at 92 locations in Puntarenas, a coastal city in Costa Rica with syndemic Zika, chikungunya and dengue transmission. We used separate models to investigate the association of either Ae. aegypti-borne arboviral cases or Ae. aegypti egg counts with remotely sensed environmental variables. We also evaluated whether Ae. aegypti-borne arboviral cases were associated with Ae. aegypti egg counts. Using cross-correlation and time series modeling, we found that arboviral cases were not significantly associated with Ae. aegypti egg counts. Through model selection we found that cases had a non-linear response to multi-scale (1-km and 30-m resolution) measurements of temperature standard deviation (SD) with a lag of up to 4 weeks, while simultaneously increasing with finely-grained NDVI (30-m resolution). Meanwhile, median ovitrap Ae. aegypti egg counts increased, and respectively decreased, with temperature SD (1-km resolution) and EVI (30-m resolution) with a lag of 6 weeks. A synchrony analysis showed that egg counts had a travelling wave pattern, with synchrony showing cyclic changes with distance, a pattern not observed in remotely sensed data with 30-m and 10-m resolution. Spatially, using generalized additive models, we found that eggs were more abundant at locations with higher temperatures and where EVI was leptokurtic during the study period. Our results suggest that, in Puntarenas, remotely sensed environmental variables are associated with both Ae. aegypti-borne arbovirus transmission and Ae. aegypti egg counts from ovitraps. We sampled Ae. aegypti eggs using ovitraps for 80 weeks in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. We were able to correlate Ae. aegypti egg-counts and arboviral cases with remotely sensed data. Egg counts and arboviral cases were correlated with temperature and vegetation indices. Arboviral cases were not associated with egg counts.
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Malaria Elimination in Costa Rica: Changes in Treatment and Mass Drug Administration. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8070984. [PMID: 32630155 PMCID: PMC7409053 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8070984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Costa Rica is a candidate to eliminate malaria by 2020. The remaining malaria transmission hotspots are located within the Huétar Norte Region (HNR), where 90% of the country's 147 malaria cases have occurred since 2016, following a 33-month period without transmission. Here, we examine changes in transmission with the implementation of a supervised seven-day chloroquine and primaquine treatment (7DCPT). We also evaluate the impact of a focal mass drug administration (MDA) in January 2019 at Boca Arenal, the town in HNR reporting the greatest local transmission. We found that the change to a seven-day treatment protocol, from the prior five-day program, was associated with a 98% reduction in malaria transmission. The MDA helped to reduce transmission, keeping the basic reproduction number, RT, significantly below 1, for at least four months. However, following new imported cases from Nicaragua, autochthonous transmission resumed. Our results highlight the importance of appropriate treatment delivery to reduce malaria transmission, and the challenge that highly mobile populations, if their malaria is not treated, pose to regional elimination efforts in Mesoamerica and México.
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