Detection of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations in Southern Alabama Following a 26-yr Absence and Public Perceptions of the Threat of Zika Virus

Abstract

With the establishment of Zika virus in the Americas, an accurate understanding of the geographic range of its primary vector, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), is vital to assessing transmission risk. In an article published in June 2016, Hahn and colleagues compiled county-level records in the United States for the presence of Ae. aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) reported between January 1995 and March 2016. Despite ecological suitability for both mosquito species along the Gulf Coast, Ae. aegypti was not reported in Alabama during the time interval, a result consistent with research suggesting that interactions between these two species often result in displacement of Ae. aegypti. Herein, we report the detection of Ae. aegypti populations in Mobile, Alabama, after a 26-yr absence and present findings on human perceptions of Zika virus relevant to transmission. It is unclear whether the specimens (69 out of 1074) represent a recent re-introduction or belong to a previously undetected remnant population. Sequencing of mtDNA from identified Ae. aegypti matched closest to a specimen collected in Kerala, India. A survey of residents in the surveillance area suggests high encounter rates with mosquitoes in and around homes. Despite high self-reported knowledge about Zika virus, the survey revealed gaps in knowledge regarding its transmission cycle and relative degrees of vulnerability to serious illness among segments of the human population. These findings highlight the importance of continued surveillance, vector control, and public-health education in Gulf Coast states, as well as the potential threat of Ae. Aegypti-transmitted pathogens in southern Alabama.

Perceptions and practices of mosquito-borne diseases in Alabama – is concern where it should be?

“…At the time of survey completion, 73% of participants reported being bitten by a mosquito in the last 30 days. Participants were asked to rate their perceptions of the level of mosquito density near their home during the last month on a scale from very low [1], to moderate [4], to very high [7]. Approximately 18% reported the two lowest categories combined very low to low density, 33% reported the middle moderate and 26% reported the two highest categories combined high to very high density (Fig.…”

“…The sub-tropical climate of the US Gulf Coast, as well as an abundance of habitat for Aedes, Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes and the proximity of trade and travel hubs, put the Gulf Coast at risk for the establishment or re-establishment of mosquito-borne pathogens in the US [1]. Until the implementation of vigorous vector control efforts in the mid-twentieth century, the Gulf Coast experienced regular outbreaks of malaria and yellow fever [2, 3].…”

“…To gauge residents’ current level of understanding surrounding mosquito-borne pathogens present in the Gulf Region, we conducted a pilot survey among residents of the Mobile Bay area in the Gulf, where Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, which are responsible for mosquito borne diseases like CHIKV, ZIKV, and DENV have recently been detected following a 26-year absence [1]. Through this pilot survey, we asked residents of Alabama’s Mobile Bay area about their practices to reduce the number of mosquitoes, level of knowledge, degree of concern and perceptions of seriousness about five mosquito-borne diseases, preferred modality for receiving information and the perceived impact their mosquito prevention measures have on their homes and neighborhood.…”

Arboviral diseases and poverty in Alabama, 2007–2017

“…Circulation of arboviruses, such as WNV and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), sustained by local population of mosquitoes has been recorded in Alabama [12,13]. In recent years, Aedes aegypti, a main vector of several arboviral diseases, including CHIKV, Zika (ZIKV), and dengue (DENV) fever, has been detected in Alabama after a 26-year absence [14]. The state's physiographic regions and ecological conditions are ideal habitats for Aedes aegypti and Ae.…”

Landscape and Anthropogenic Factors Associated with Adult Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Small Cities in the Southern Great Plains

“…The emergence and repeated expansion of vector-borne human and animal diseases worldwide, and the increasing pace at which epidemics seem to occur, emphasize the continued need to surveille important disease vectors to prevent or respond to outbreaks. The recent rapid expansion of Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses through Aedes mosquitoes in Central and South America and the Caribbean region has focused attention on potential regions in the United States where epidemics could occur [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. To mitigate potential outbreaks, studies have broadly mapped potential regions where two important vectors, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Ae.…”