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Sauer FG, Pfitzner WP, Jöst H, Rauhöft L, Kliemke K, Lange U, Heitmann A, Jansen S, Lühken R. Using geometric wing morphometrics to distinguish Aedes japonicus japonicus and Aedes koreicus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:418. [PMID: 37968721 PMCID: PMC10648383 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06038-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) and Aedes koreicus (Edwards, 1917) have rapidly spread in Europe over the last decades. Both species are very closely related and occur in sympatry. Females and males are difficult to distinguish. However, the accurate species discrimination is important as both species may differ in their vectorial capacity and spreading behaviour. In this study, we assessed the potential of geometric wing morphometrics as alternative to distinguish the two species. METHODS A total of 147 Ae. j. japonicus specimens (77 females and 70 males) and 124 Ae. koreicus specimens (67 females and 57 males) were collected in southwest Germany. The left wing of each specimen was removed, mounted and photographed. The coordinates of 18 landmarks on the vein crosses were digitalised by a single observer. The resulting two-dimensional dataset was used to analyse the differences in the wing size (i.e. centroid size) and wing shape between Ae. j. japonicus and Ae. koreicus using geometric morphometrics. To analyse the reproducibility of the analysis, the landmark collection was repeated for 20 specimens per sex and species by two additional observers. RESULTS The wing size in female Ae. koreicus was significantly greater than in Ae. j. japonicus but did not differ significantly for males. However, the strong overlap in wing size also for the females would not allow to discriminate the two species. In contrast, the wing shape clustering was species specific and a leave-one-out validation resulted in a reclassification accuracy of 96.5% for the females and 91.3% for the males. The data collected by different observers resulted in a similar accuracy, indicating a low observer bias for the landmark collection. CONCLUSIONS Geometric wing morphometrics provide a reliable and robust tool to distinguish female and male specimens of Ae. j. japonicus and Ae. koreicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix G Sauer
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Wolf Peter Pfitzner
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft Zur Bekämpfung Der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346, Speyer, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leif Rauhöft
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Unchana Lange
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Heitmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Jansen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Ferenc T, Vujica Ferenc M, Krcmar S, Savic V, Stevanovic V, Ilic M, Barbic L. Current Status of Vector-Borne Diseases in Croatia: Challenges and Future Prospects. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1856. [PMID: 37763260 PMCID: PMC10532474 DOI: 10.3390/life13091856] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Different vector-borne pathogens are present or have (re-)emerged in Croatia. Flaviviruses tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), West Nile (WNV), and Usutu (USUV) are widely distributed in continental regions, while Toscana virus (TOSV) and sandfly fever viruses are detected at the Croatian littoral. Recently, sporadic clinical cases of Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) and Bhanja bandavirus infection and seropositive individuals have been reported in continental Croatia. Acute infections and serologic evidence of WNV, TBEV, USUV, and TAHV were also confirmed in sentinel animals and vectors. Autochthonous dengue was reported in 2010 at the Croatian littoral. Lyme borreliosis is the most widely distributed vector-borne bacterial infection. The incidence is very high in northwestern and eastern regions, which correlates with numerous records of Ixodes ricinus ticks. Acute human Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections are reported sporadically, but there are many records of serologic evidence of anaplasmosis in animals. Mediterranean spotted fever (Rickettsia conorii) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi) are the main rickettsial infections in Croatia. Human leishmaniasis is notified sporadically, while serologic evidence of leishmaniasis was found in 11.4% of the Croatian population. After the official eradication of malaria in 1964, only imported cases were reported in Croatia. Since vector-borne diseases show a growing trend, continuous monitoring of vectors is required to protect the population from these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Natasa Janev-Holcer
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Thomas Ferenc
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mateja Vujica Ferenc
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stjepan Krcmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Kavran M, Konjević A, Petrić D, Ćupina AI. The Introduction and Establishment of Four Invasive Insect Species in Serbia. INSECTS 2023; 14:728. [PMID: 37754696 PMCID: PMC10531987 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas are often populated by specific species of insects, some colorful and appealing, such as ladybugs and butterflies, and others irritating as nuisance bitters or as vectors of pathogens of public health importance. Mosquitoes in urban areas often utilize habitats adjacent to human residences, while phytophagous insect species such as stink bugs often colonize ornamental plants and utilize human-made structures including houses as overwintering shelters. This article discusses the early detection and the current distribution of two invasive mosquito species, Aedes albopictus Skuse 1894 and Ae. japonicus (Theobald 1901), in Serbia, introduced in 2009 and 2018, respectively. From the first findings until today, regular monitoring has been carried out and the establishment of both species in the newly invaded areas has been confirmed. Both species can become nuisance species, especially at high population densities, but more importantly, they are capable of transmitting a wide variety of arboviruses of public health importance. This article also discusses two invasive stink bug species Halyomorpha halys Stål 1855 and Nezara viridula Linnaeus 1758, introduced in Serbia in 2015 and 2008, respectively. These two stink bug species have also been monitored, and the establishment of their populations in the country has been confirmed. Both species have caused damage to a wide range of crops and ornamental plants and sometimes become nuisance pests in urban areas.
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Giunti G, Becker N, Benelli G. Invasive mosquito vectors in Europe: From bioecology to surveillance and management. Acta Trop 2023; 239:106832. [PMID: 36642256 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Invasive mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) play a key role in the spread of a number of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide. Anthropogenic changes play a significant role in affecting their distribution. Invasive mosquitoes usually take advantage from biotic homogenization and biodiversity reduction, therefore expanding in their distribution range and abundance. In Europe, climate warming and increasing urbanization are boosting the spread of several mosquito species of high public health importance. The present article contains a literature review focused on the biology and ecology of Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, Ae. japonicus japonicus, Ae. koreicus, Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus, outlining their distribution and public health relevance in Europe. Bioecology insights were tightly connected with vector surveillance and control programs targeting these species. In the final section, a research agenda aiming for the effective and sustainable monitoring and control of invasive mosquitoes in the framework of Integrated Vector Management and One Health is presented. The WHO Vector Control Advisory Group recommends priority should be given to vector control tools with proven epidemiological impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Giunti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy
| | - Norbert Becker
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, Speyer 67346, Germany; IcyBac-Biologische Stechmückenbekämpfung GmbH (ICYBAC), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 1, Speyer 67346, Germany
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, Pisa 56124, Italy.
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Surveillance of Tahyna Orthobunyavirus in Urban Areas in Croatia—The “One Health” Approach. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7100320. [PMID: 36288061 PMCID: PMC9609863 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) is a neglected mosquito-borne bunyavirus. Although the virus is widespread in continental Europe, TAHV infections are rarely reported. We analyzed the prevalence of TAHV in humans and different animal species as well as mosquitoes collected in urban areas of Zagreb and its surroundings in the period from 2020 to 2022. Methods: The study included 36 patients with neuroinvasive disease (NID), 218 asymptomatic individuals, 98 horses, 94 pet animals (dogs and cats), and 4456 Aedes vexans mosquitoes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples of patients with NID were tested for the TAHV RNA using a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Human and animal serum samples were tested for TAHV-neutralizing (NT) antibodies using a virus-neutralization test (VNT). Mosquito pools were tested for TAHV RNA using an RT-qPCR. Results: TAHV NT antibodies were detected in 3/9.4% of patients with NID, 8/3.7% of asymptomatic individuals, 29/29.6% of horses, and 11/11.7% of pet animals. There was no difference in the seroprevalence according to age, sex, and area of residence in asymptomatic individuals. In addition, TAHV seropositivity did not differ according to age and sex in pet animals. None of the tested mosquito pools was TAHV RNA-positive. Conclusions: The presented results highlight the importance of interdisciplinary surveillance (“One Health”) of this neglected viral zoonosis.
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Vojtíšek J, Janssen N, Šikutová S, Šebesta O, Kampen H, Rudolf I. Emergence of the invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus (Theobald, 1901) in the Czech Republic. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:250. [PMID: 35820942 PMCID: PMC9277878 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05332-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus is a mosquito species native to North-East Asia that was first found established outside its original geographic distribution range in 1998 and has since spread massively through North America and Europe. In the Czech Republic, the species was not reported before 2021. METHODS Aedes invasive mosquitoes (AIM) are routinely surveyed in the Czech Republic by ovitrapping at potential entry ports. This surveillance is supported by appeals to the population to report uncommon mosquitoes. The submission of an Ae. japonicus specimen by a citizen in 2021 was followed by local search for aquatic mosquito stages in the submitter's garden and short-term adult monitoring with encephalitis virus surveillance (EVS) traps in its surroundings. Collected Ae. japonicus specimens were subjected to nad4 haplotype and microsatellite analyses. RESULTS Aedes japonicus was detected for the first time in the Czech Republic in 2021. Aquatic stages and adults were collected in Prachatice, close to the Czech-German border, and eggs in Mikulov, on the Czech-Austrian border. Morphological identification was confirmed by molecular taxonomy. Genetic analysis of specimens and comparison of genetic data with those of other European populations, particularly from Germany, showed the Prachatice specimens to be most closely related to a German population. The Mikulov specimens were more distantly related to those, with no close relatives identifiable. CONCLUSIONS Aedes japonicus is already widely distributed in Germany and Austria, two countries neighbouring the Czech Republic, and continues to spread rapidly in Central Europe. It must therefore be assumed that the species is already present at more than the two described localities in the Czech Republic and will further spread in this country. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive AIM surveillance in the Czech Republic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Vojtíšek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nele Janssen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Silvie Šikutová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Oldřich Šebesta
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Outammassine A, Zouhair S, Loqman S. Global potential distribution of three underappreciated arboviruses vectors (Aedes japonicus, Aedes vexans and Aedes vittatus) under current and future climate conditions. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e1160-e1171. [PMID: 34821477 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) are expanding their geographic range, posing significant health threats to millions of people worldwide. This expansion is associated with efficient and suitable vector availability. Apart from the well-known Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, other Aedes species may potentially promote the geographic spread of arboviruses because these viruses have similar vector requirements. Aedes japonicus, Ae. vexans and Ae. vittatus are a growing concern, given their potential and known vector competence for several arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. In the present study, we developed detailed maps of their global potential distributions under both current and future (2050) climate conditions, using an ecological niche modeling approach (Maxent). Under present-day conditions, Ae. japonicus and Ae. vexans have suitable areas in the northeastern United States, across Europe and in southeastern China, whereas the tropical regions of South America, Africa and Asia are more suitable for Ae. vittatus. Future scenarios anticipated range changes for the three species, with each expected to expand into new areas that are currently not suitable. By 2050, Ae. japonicus will have a broader potential distribution across much of Europe, the United States, western Russia and central Asia. Aedes vexans may be able to expand its range, especially in Libya, Egypt and southern Australia. For Ae. vittatus, future projections indicated areas at risk in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. As such, these species deserve as much attention as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus when processing arboviruses risk assessments and our findings may help to better understand the potential distribution of each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkrim Outammassine
- Laboratoire de Lutte contre les Maladies Infectieuses, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Said Zouhair
- Laboratoire de Lutte contre les Maladies Infectieuses, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.,Laboratory of Bacteriology-Virology, Avicienne Hospital Military, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Souad Loqman
- Laboratoire de Lutte contre les Maladies Infectieuses, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
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Eritja R, Delacour-Estrella S, Ruiz-Arrondo I, González MA, Barceló C, García-Pérez AL, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Bartumeus F. At the tip of an iceberg: citizen science and active surveillance collaborating to broaden the known distribution of Aedes japonicus in Spain. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:375. [PMID: 34311767 PMCID: PMC8314548 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04874-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active surveillance aimed at the early detection of invasive mosquito species is usually focused on seaports and airports as points of entry, and along road networks as dispersion paths. In a number of cases, however, the first detections of colonizing populations are made by citizens, either because the species has already moved beyond the implemented active surveillance sites or because there is no surveillance in place. This was the case of the first detection in 2018 of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus, in Asturias (northern Spain) by the citizen science platform Mosquito Alert. METHODS The collaboration between Mosquito Alert, the Ministry of Health, local authorities and academic researchers resulted in a multi-source surveillance combining active field sampling with broader temporal and spatial citizen-sourced data, resulting in a more flexible and efficient surveillance strategy. RESULTS Between 2018 and 2020, the joint efforts of administrative bodies, academic teams and citizen-sourced data led to the discovery of this species in northern regions of Spain such as Cantabria and the Basque Country. This raised the estimated area of occurrence of Ae. japonicus from < 900 km2 in 2018 to > 7000 km2 in 2020. CONCLUSIONS This population cluster is geographically isolated from any other population in Europe, which raises questions about its origin, path of introduction and dispersal means, while also highlighting the need to enhance surveillance systems by closely combining crowd-sourced surveillance with public health and mosquito control agencies' efforts, from local to continental scales. This multi-actor approach for surveillance (either passive and active) shows high potential efficiency in the surveillance of other invasive mosquito species, and specifically the major vector Aedes aegypti which is already present in some parts of Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Eritja
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center for Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro–CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Mikel A. González
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation research group, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), Palma, Spain
| | - Ana L. García-Pérez
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- The Agrifood Institute of Aragón (IA2), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á. Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation research group, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), Palma, Spain
- Agro-Environmental and Water Economics Institute (INAGEA), Palma, Spain
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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Bušić N, Kučinić M, Merdić E, Bruvo-Mađarić B. Diversity of mosquito fauna (Diptera, Culicidae) in higher-altitude regions of Croatia. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2021; 46:65-75. [PMID: 35229583 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-46.1.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change and the accompanying rise in temperature could affect the biology and ecology of a number of vectors, including mosquitoes. High altitude areas that were previously unsuitable for the spread of mosquito vector populations could become suitable. The aim of this research was to study the distribution of mosquito species in higher altitude regions of Croatia. Samples were collected in three areas: Slavonian Mountains, Gorski Kotar, and Middle Velebit. Specimens were morphologically determined and confirmed by DNA barcoding and other genetic markers and showed the presence of 16 species belonging to six genera. The most abundant species were the Culex pipiens complex with 50% of the collected specimens. Both pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) and molestus (Forskal, 1775) biotypes and their hybrids were identified within the complex, followed by Culex torrentium (Martini, 1925) (20.2%), Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart, 1838) (8.5%), and the invasive species Aedes japonicus (Theobald, 1901) (7.8% of the total number of collected specimens). The remaining 12 species made up 14.7% of the collected specimens. Intraspecific COI p-distances were within the standard barcoding threshold for OTUs, while interspecific genetic distances were much higher, confirming the existence of barcoding gaps. Mosquito fauna of Croatian mountains showed a moderate variety and made 30.8% of the total number of recorded mosquito species in Croatia thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Bušić
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Department of Biology, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mladen Kučinić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Enrih Merdić
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Department of Biology, Osijek, Croatia
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Horváth C, Cazan CD, Mihalca AD. Emergence of the invasive Asian bush mosquito, Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus, in an urban area, Romania. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:192. [PMID: 33827665 PMCID: PMC8024677 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A study conducted at the International Airport of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with the aim of investigating the presence/absence of invasive Aedes mosquito species resulted in finding Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901) eggs in one of the ovitraps placed on site. Methods The study was carried out between 30 June and 29 September 2020. On 24 August, 26 eggs were collected and later hatched at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca’s insectary. On 15 October another adult female Ae. japonicus was caught entering a building in the center of the city, about 7 km from the first sampling spot. Results The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and confirmed by molecular analysis, based on the genetic analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Conclusion This is the first report of the species in Romania, highlighting the need for surveillance and implemented control methods. However, in Romania to our knowledge only Aedes albopictus has been established; further studies are required to learn about this new invasive species' status in Romania. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Horváth
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,CDS-9, "Regele Mihai I al României" Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Screening of Mosquitoes for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Croatia, 2015-2020. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6020045. [PMID: 33918386 PMCID: PMC8167590 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the period from 2015 to 2020, an entomological survey for the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in mosquitoes was performed in northwestern Croatia. A total of 20,363 mosquitoes were sampled in the City of Zagreb and Međimurje county, grouped in 899 pools and tested by real-time RT-PCR for WNV and USUV RNA. All pools were negative for WNV while one pool each from 2016 (Aedes albopictus), 2017 (Culex pipiens complex), 2018 (Cx. pipiens complex), and 2019 (Cx. pipiens complex), respectively, was positive for USUV. The 2018 and 2019 positive pools shared 99.31% nucleotide homology within the USUV NS5 gene and both clustered within USUV Europe 2 lineage. The next-generation sequencing of one mosquito pool (Cx. pipiens complex) collected in 2018 in Zagreb confirmed the presence of USUV and revealed several dsDNA and ssRNA viruses of insect, bacterial and mammalian origin.
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Smitz N, De Wolf K, Deblauwe I, Kampen H, Schaffner F, De Witte J, Schneider A, Verlé I, Vanslembrouck A, Dekoninck W, Meganck K, Gombeer S, Vanderheyden A, De Meyer M, Backeljau T, Werner D, Müller R, Van Bortel W. Population genetic structure of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus (Diptera, Culicidae), in Belgium suggests multiple introductions. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:179. [PMID: 33766104 PMCID: PMC7995749 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to investigate the origin of these new introductions, which were assumed to be related to the expansion of the nearby population in western Germany. Also, an intensive elimination campaign was undertaken at Natoye between 2012 and 2015, after which the species was declared to be eradicated. This species was re-detected in 2017, and thus the second objective was to investigate if these specimens resulted from a new introduction event and/or from a few undetected specimens that escaped the elimination campaign. METHODS Population genetic variation at nad4 and seven microsatellite loci was surveyed in 224 and 68 specimens collected in Belgium and Germany, respectively. German samples were included as reference to investigate putative introduction source(s). At Natoye, 52 and 135 specimens were collected before and after the elimination campaign, respectively, to investigate temporal changes in the genetic composition and diversity. RESULTS At Natoye, the genotypic microsatellite make-up showed a clear difference before and after the elimination campaign. Also, the population after 2017 displayed an increased allelic richness and number of private alleles, indicative of new introduction(s). However, the Natoye population present before the elimination programme is believed to have survived at low density. At the Belgian border, clustering results suggest a relation with the western German population. Whether the introduction(s) occur via passive human-mediated ground transport or, alternatively, by natural spread cannot be determined yet from the dataset. CONCLUSION Further introductions within Belgium are expected to occur in the near future, especially along the eastern Belgian border, which is at the front of the invasion of Ae. japonicus towards the west. Our results also point to the complexity of controlling invasive species, since 4 years of intense control measures were found to be not completely successful at eliminating this exotic at Natoye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Smitz
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium.
| | - Katrien De Wolf
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich Loeffler Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Jacobus De Witte
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anna Schneider
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Verlé
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adwine Vanslembrouck
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wouter Dekoninck
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kenny Meganck
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gombeer
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann Vanderheyden
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc De Meyer
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Thierry Backeljau
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium.,Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Bortel
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Outbreak Research Team, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
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13
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Barbic L, Mrzljak A, Brnic D, Klobucar A, Ilic M, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Jemersic L, Stevanovic V, Tabain I, Krcmar S, Vucelja M, Prpic J, Boljfetic M, Jelicic P, Madic J, Ferencak I, Savic V. Emerging and Neglected Viruses of Zoonotic Importance in Croatia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010073. [PMID: 33467617 PMCID: PMC7829938 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several arboviruses have emerged in Croatia in recent years. Tick-borne encephalitis is endemic in continental counties; however, new natural micro-foci have been detected. Two autochthonous dengue cases were reported in 2010. West Nile virus emerged in 2012, followed by emergence of Usutu virus in 2013. Although high seroprevalence rates of Toscana virus have been detected among residents of Croatian littoral, the virus remains neglected, with only a few clinical cases of neuroinvasive infections reported. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is a neglected neuroinvasive rodent-borne virus. So far, there are no reports on human clinical cases; however, the seroprevalence studies indicate the virus presence in the Croatian mainland. Puumala and Dobrava hantaviruses are widely distributing rodent-borne viruses with sporadic and epidemic occurrence. Hepatitis E virus is an emerging food-borne virus in Croatia. After the emergence in 2012, cases were regularly recorded. Seropositivity varies greatly by region and population group. Rotaviruses represent a significant healthcare burden since rotavirus vaccination is not included in the Croatian national immunization program. Additionally, rotaviruses are widely distributed in the Croatian ecosystem. A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in February 2020 and spread rapidly throughout the country. This review focuses on emerging and neglected viruses of zoonotic importance detected in Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dragan Brnic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (L.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Natasa Janev-Holcer
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.J.-H.); (P.J.)
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
| | - Lorena Jemersic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (L.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Irena Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
| | - Stjepan Krcmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
| | - Marko Vucelja
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Jelena Prpic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (L.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Marko Boljfetic
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Pavle Jelicic
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.J.-H.); (P.J.)
| | - Josip Madic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Ivana Ferencak
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (I.F.)
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Baharmand I, Coatsworth H, Peach DAH, Belton P, Lowenberger C. Molecular relationships of introduced Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in British Columbia, Canada using mitochondrial DNA. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2020; 45:285-296. [PMID: 33207061 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) is a relatively recent immigrant to the Pacific Northwest, having been collected in Washington State in 2001 and in British Columbia (BC) since 2014. We applied a molecular barcoding approach to determine the phylogenetic relationship of Ae. j. japonicus populations in BC with those from around the world. We sequenced a 617 base-pair segment of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene and a 330 base-pair region of the NADH dehydrogenase 4 gene to find genetic variation and characterize phylogenetic and haplotypic relationships based on nucleotide divergences. Our results revealed low genetic diversity in the BC samples, suggesting that these populations arose from the same introduction event. However, our approach lacked the granularity to identify the exact country of origin of the Ae. j. japonicus collected in BC. Future efforts should focus on detecting and preventing new Ae. j. japonicus introductions, recognizing that current molecular techniques are unable to pin-point the precise source of an introduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Baharmand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Heather Coatsworth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel A H Peach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Belton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Carl Lowenberger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Janssen N, Graovac N, Vignjević G, Bogojević MS, Turić N, Klobučar A, Kavran M, Petrić D, Ćupina AI, Fischer S, Werner D, Kampen H, Merdić E. Rapid spread and population genetics of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in southeastern Europe (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241235. [PMID: 33119650 PMCID: PMC7595422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901), a potential vector of several pathogens, has recently established in North America and Central Europe. In 2013, it was found on the Slovenian-Croatian border, and during the following years, it emerged in more and more counties of northwestern Croatia. Surveillance of Ae. j. japonicus and other invasive mosquito species was subsequently extended both spatially and temporally in Croatia and neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Mosquito collections were conducted in 2017 and 2018, based on adult trapping through dry ice-baited CDC traps and BG-Lure-baited BG-Sentinel traps, larval sampling through dippers and nets, and ovitrapping. Aedes j. japonicus specimens from collected samples were subjected to population genetic analysis by comparing microsatellite signatures and nad4 DNA sequences between sampled locations and with data previously obtained from more western European distribution areas. Aedes j. japonicus immature stages were found at 19 sites in Croatia, two sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one site in Serbia. In Croatia, four new counties were found colonised, two in the east and two in the south of the previously known distribution area. A spread of 250 km could thus be documented within five years. The findings in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia represent the first records of Ae. j. japonicus in these countries. Genetic analysis suggests at least two introduction events into the surveyed area. Among the locations analysed, Orahovica can be considered a genetic border. The individuals collected west of this point were found to be similar to samples previously collected in the border regions of Southeast Germany/Austria and Austria/Slovenia, while the specimens from more eastern Croatian localities, together with those from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, were genetically different and could not be assigned to a probable origin. Thus, introduction from Central Europe, possibly by vehicular traffic, into the study area is likely, but other origins, transportation routes and modes of entry appear to contribute. Further dispersal of Ae. j. japonicus to other parts of southeastern Europe is anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Janssen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Nataša Graovac
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Goran Vignjević
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | - Nataša Turić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ana Klobučar
- Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mihaela Kavran
- Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dušan Petrić
- Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Ignjatović Ćupina
- Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Susanne Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Enrih Merdić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia
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16
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Glavinic U, Varga J, Paslaru AI, Hauri J, Torgerson P, Schaffner F, Veronesi E. Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:479. [PMID: 32948231 PMCID: PMC7501641 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
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. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other flaviviruses (e.g. West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vectors for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. One of these, the Asian bush mosquito, Ae. japonicus, is widely distributed 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 The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post-exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of plaque forming units (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post-oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at a constant temperature. No difference in terms of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations. Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates compared to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7-23% and 7-10% for the constant temperature and 0-10% and 3-27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uros Glavinic
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jasmin Varga
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anca Ioana Paslaru
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jeannine Hauri
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paul Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Francis Schaffner
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Lörracherstrasse 50, 4125, Riehen, Switzerland
| | - Eva Veronesi
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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The trends of human dirofilariasis in Croatia: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow. One Health 2020; 10:100153. [PMID: 33117870 PMCID: PMC7582219 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human dirofilariasis is a disease historically linked to the Mediterranean area. For the last few decades, however, Dirofilaria nematodes have been spreading, both in terms of prevalence and the geographical expansion in non-endemic areas. Currently, cases of human dirofilariasis are recorded in more than 40 countries worldwide. Croatia is considered an endemic area of the Adriatic basin. Methods In a nationwide investigation, new and previously published cases of human dirofilariasis in Croatia were analyzed. Results Since 1996, 30 cases of human dirofilariosis were reported in Croatia. A total of 14 (46,67%) cases were from the coastal and 16 (53,33%) from continental regions of the country. Based on anatomical location, 13 (43,33%) cases were subcutaneous, 12 (40%) were ocular and five (16,67%) occurred in the reproductive organs. In all 30 cases, Dirofilaria repens was identified as the causative agent. Conclusions An increase in air temperature as climate change, changes in mosquito fauna, high prevalence of D. repens in dogs and limited use of chemoprophylaxis are possible risk factors for Dirofilaria infection in the Croatian population. Since reporting to epidemiological services is not mandatory in this country, the real number of human dirofilariasis cases is probably significantly higher than published. This emphasizes the need for mandatory reporting of human cases and surveillance of Dirofilaria infection in dogs and mosquitoes in Croatia, following the “One Health” concept. A total of 30 cases of human dirofilariasis have been described in Croatia. In all cases, D. repens was identified as the causative agent. Geographical distribution among regions was almost identical. Subcutaneous nodules were not the major clincal presentation of D. repens infections.
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Merdić E, Klobučar A, Žitko T, Sudarić Bogojević M, Vrućina I, Turić N, Vignjević G. Updated checklist of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Croatia. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2020; 45:135-139. [PMID: 32492266 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Improvement of morphological and molecular identification methods allows the detection of new species of mosquitoes. The mosquito fauna of Croatia currently includes 52 species, belonging to eight genera, including Anopheles (12 species), Aedes (24 species), Coquillettidia (one species), Culex (seven species), Culiseta (six species), Orthopodomyia (one species), and Uranotaenia (one species). This is an updated checklist, which includes five new species found in Croatian mosquito fauna. Two of these are invasive mosquito species, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) and Aedes japonicus (Theobald 1901), which are spreading across Europe and Croatia. The other three species, Culex laticinctus (Edwards 1913), Culex torrentium (Martini 1925), and Anopheles daciae (Linton, Nicolescu & Harbach 2004) are autochthonous species which haven't been recorded so far. Since there are several more invasive species spreading across Europe, we assume that this is not the final list.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrih Merdić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hardrijana 8a, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ana Klobučar
- Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 16, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Toni Žitko
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Split-Dalmatia County, Vukovarska 46, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Mirta Sudarić Bogojević
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hardrijana 8a, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivana Vrućina
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hardrijana 8a, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nataša Turić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hardrijana 8a, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Goran Vignjević
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hardrijana 8a, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
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Cunze S, Kochmann J, Klimpel S. Global occurrence data improve potential distribution models for Aedes japonicus japonicus in non-native regions. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:1814-1822. [PMID: 31814250 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is great interest in modelling the distribution of invasive species, particularly from the point of view of management. However, distribution modelling for invasive species using ecological niche models (ENMs) involves multiple challenges. Owing to the short time span since the introduction or arrival of a non-indigenous species and the associated dispersal limitations, applying regular ENMs at an early stage of the invasion process may result in an underestimation of the potential niche in the new ranges. This topic is dealt with here using the example of Aedes japonicus japonicus, a vector competent mosquito species for a number of diseases. RESULTS We found high niche unfilling for the species' non-native range niches in Europe and North America compared with the native range niche, which can be explained by the early stage of the invasion process. Comparing four different ENMs based on: (i) the European and (ii) the North American non-native range occurrence data, (iii) (derived) native range occurrence data, and (iv) all available occurrence data together, we found large differences in the projected climatic suitability, with the global data model projecting larger areas with climatic suitability. CONCLUSION ENM in biological invasions can be challenging, especially when distribution data are only poorly available. We suggest one possible way to project climatic suitability for Aedes j. japonicus despite poor data availability for the non-native ranges and missing occurrences from the native range. We discuss aspects of the lack of information and the associated implications for modelling. © 2020 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cunze
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Judith Kochmann
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany
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Montarsi F, Martini S, Michelutti A, Da Rold G, Mazzucato M, Qualizza D, Di Gennaro D, Di Fant M, Dal Pont M, Palei M, Capelli G. The invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus is spreading in northeastern Italy. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:120. [PMID: 30909981 PMCID: PMC6434805 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The invasive mosquito species, Aedes japonicus japonicus, was detected in northeastern Italy for the first time in 2015, at the border with Austria. After this finding, a more intensive monitoring was carried out to assess its distribution and to collect biological data. Herein, we report the results of four years (2015-2018) of activity. METHODS The presence of Ae. j. japonicus was checked in all possible breeding sites through collections of larvae. The monitoring started from the site of the first detection at the Austrian border and then was extended in all directions. The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and molecularly. RESULTS Aedes j. japonicus was found in 58 out of 73 municipalities monitored (79.5%). In total (2015-2018), 238 sampling sites were monitored and 90 were positive for presence of Ae. j. japonicus larvae (37.8%). The mosquito was collected mainly in artificial containers located in small villages and in rural areas. Cohabitation with other mosquito species was observed in 55.6% of the samplings. CONCLUSIONS Aedes j. japonicus is well established in Italy and in only four years has colonised two Italian Regions, displaying rapid spreading throughout hilly and mountainous areas. Colonization towards the south seems limited by climatic conditions and the occurrence of a large population of the larval competitor, Ae. albopictus. The further spread of Ae. j. japonicus has the potential to pose new threats of zoonotic agents (i.e. Dirofilaria spp. and West Nile virus) within areas at altitudes previously considered at negligible risk in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alice Michelutti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Graziana Da Rold
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzucato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Davide Qualizza
- Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria A.A.S. 3-Alto Friuli, Collinare e Medio Friuli, S.O.C. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Domenico Di Gennaro
- Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria A.A.S. 3-Alto Friuli, Collinare e Medio Friuli, S.O.C. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Marcella Di Fant
- Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria A.A.S. 3-Alto Friuli, Collinare e Medio Friuli, S.O.C. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Dal Pont
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine-Dipartimento di Prevenzione A.S.S. 4-Medio Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Manlio Palei
- Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, Direzione Centrale Salute, Integrazione Sociosanitaria e Politiche Sociali-Servizio Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
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Kerkow A, Wieland R, Koban MB, Hölker F, Jeschke JM, Werner D, Kampen H. What makes the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus feel comfortable in Germany? A fuzzy modelling approach. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:106. [PMID: 30871595 PMCID: PMC6417263 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3368-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus is an invasive species native to East Asia and has become established in North America and Europe. On both continents, the species has spread over wide areas. Since it is a potential vector of human and livestock pathogens, distribution and dissemination maps are urgently needed to implement targeted surveillance and control in case of disease outbreaks. Previous distribution models for Europe and Germany in particular focused on climate data. Until now, effects of other environmental variables such as land use and wind remained unconsidered. Results In order to better explain the distribution pattern of Ae. j. japonicus in Germany at a regional level, we have developed a nested approach that allows for the combination of data derived from (i) a climate model based on a machine-learning approach; (ii) a landscape model developed by means of ecological expert knowledge; and (iii) wind speed data. The approach is based on the fuzzy modelling technique that enables to precisely define the interactions between the three factors and additionally considers uncertainties with regard to the acceptance of certain environmental conditions. The model combines different spatial resolutions of data for Germany and achieves a much higher degree of accuracy than previous published distribution models. Our results reveal that a well-suited landscape structure can even facilitate the occurrence of Ae. j. japonicus in a climatically unsuitable region. Vice versa, unsuitable land use types such as agricultural landscapes and coniferous forests reduce the occurrence probability in climatically suitable regions. Conclusions The approach has significantly improved existing distribution models of Ae. j. japonicus for the area of Germany. We generated distribution maps with a resolution of 100 × 100 m that can serve as a basis for the design of control measures. All model input data and scripts are open source and freely available, so that the model can easily be applied to other countries or, more generally, to other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Kerkow
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany. .,Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ralf Wieland
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Marcel B Koban
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Franz Hölker
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Altensteinstr. 34, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
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Koban MB, Kampen H, Scheuch DE, Frueh L, Kuhlisch C, Janssen N, Steidle JLM, Schaub GA, Werner D. The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Europe, 17 years after its first detection, with a focus on monitoring methods. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:109. [PMID: 30871592 PMCID: PMC6419366 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3349-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
After the first detection of the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus in the year 2000 in France, its invasive nature was revealed in 2008 in Switzerland and Germany. In the following years, accumulating reports have shown that Ae. j. japonicus succeeded in establishing in several European countries. Surveillance efforts suggest that there are currently four populations in Europe, with the largest one, formed by the recent fusion of several smaller populations, ranging from West Germany, with extensions to Luxembourg and French Alsace, southwards to Switzerland and continuing westwards through Liechtenstein to western Austria. This paper summarises the present distribution of Ae. j. japonicus in Europe, based on published literature and hitherto unpublished findings by the authors, and critically reviews the monitoring strategies applied. A proposal for a more standardised monitoring approach is provided, aiming at the harmonisation of future data collections for improving the comparability between studies and the suitability of collected data for further research purposes, e.g. predictive modelling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel B. Koban
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
- University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dorothee E. Scheuch
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Linus Frueh
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | | | - Nele Janssen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
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Eritja R, Ruiz-Arrondo I, Delacour-Estrella S, Schaffner F, Álvarez-Chachero J, Bengoa M, Puig MÁ, Melero-Alcíbar R, Oltra A, Bartumeus F. First detection of Aedes japonicus in Spain: an unexpected finding triggered by citizen science. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:53. [PMID: 30674335 PMCID: PMC6344982 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus is an invasive vector mosquito from Southeast Asia which has been spreading across central Europe since the year 2000. Unlike the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) present in Spain since 2004, there has been no record of Ae. japonicus in the country until now. RESULTS Here, we report the first detection of Ae. japonicus in Spain, at its southernmost location in Europe. This finding was triggered by the citizen science platform Mosquito Alert. In June 2018, a citizen sent a report via the Mosquito Alert app from the municipality of Siero in the Asturias region (NW Spain) containing pictures of a female mosquito compatible with Ae. japonicus. Further information was requested from the participant, who subsequently provided several larvae and adults that could be classified as Ae. japonicus. In July, a field mission confirmed its presence at the original site and in several locations up to 9 km away, suggesting a long-time establishment. The strong media impact in Asturias derived from the discovery raised local participation in the Mosquito Alert project, resulting in further evidence from surrounding areas. CONCLUSIONS Whilst in the laboratory Ae. japonicus is a competent vector for several mosquito-borne pathogens, to date only West Nile virus is a concern based on field evidence. Nonetheless, this virus has yet not been detected in Asturias so the vectorial risk is currently considered low. The opportunity and effectiveness of combining citizen-sourced data to traditional surveillance methods are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Eritja
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center for Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Sarah Delacour-Estrella
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Francis Schaffner
- Francis Schaffner Consultancy, 4125 Riehen, Switzerland
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, VetSuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Mikel Bengoa
- Consultoria Moscard Tigre, 07013 Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares Spain
| | | | | | - Aitana Oltra
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), 17300 Blanes, Spain
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), 17300 Blanes, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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