Globe-TrottingAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus: Risk Factors for Arbovirus Pandemics

Abstract

Introduction: Two species of Aedes (Ae.) mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus) are primary vectors for emerging arboviruses that are a significant threat to public health and economic burden worldwide. Distribution of these vectors and the associated arboviruses, such as dengue virus, chikungunya virus, yellow fever virus, and Zika virus, was for a long time restricted by geographical, ecological, and biological factors. Presently, arbovirus emergence and dispersion are more rapid and geographically widespread, largely due to expansion of the range for these two mosquitoes that have exploited the global transportation network, land perturbation, and failure to contain the mosquito population coupled with enhanced vector competence. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus may also sustain transmission between humans without having to depend on their natural reservoir forest cycles due to arthropod adaptation to urbanization. Currently, there is no single strategy that is adequate to control these vectors, especially when managing arbovirus outbreaks. Objective: This review aimed at presenting the characteristics and abilities of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, which can drive a global public health risk, and suggests strategies for prevention and control. Methods: This review presents the geographic range, reproduction and ecology, vector competence, genetic evolution, and biological and chemical control of these two mosquito species and how they have changed and developed over time combined with factors that may drive pandemics and mitigation measures. Conclusion: We suggest that more efforts should be geared toward the development of a concerted multidisciplinary approach.

Assessing the vertical transmission potential of dengue virus in field-reared Aedes aegypti using patient-derived blood meals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

“…Dengue is caused by one of four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, which are transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes [3]. In recent years, both species have expanded their geographical distribution and, predictions of various climate change scenarios suggest their distribution will increase further.…”

One Biosecurity: a unified concept to integrate human, animal, plant, and environmental health

“…Invasive alien vectors of disease can also have wider impacts. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is able to transmit at least 22 arboviruses to wild and domesticated animals as well as humans and thus can impact the population viability of wildlife as well as facilitate the spread of zoonotic diseases, such as Rift Valley virus from livestock to people [38]. However, while the role that invasive alien plants, invertebrates and vertebrates play in human health has become increasingly recognised [39][40][41], with the exception of alien mosquitoes, current understanding of the role of alien species in the transmission of zoonotic diseases between livestock and humans remains limited.…”

Dengue Immunopathogenesis: A Crosstalk between Host and Viral Factors Leading to Disease: Part I - Dengue Virus Tropism, Host Innate Immune Responses, and Subversion of Antiviral Responses

“…DENV is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti. However, the global distribution of Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito), considered a secondary vector for DENV transmission, is changing rapidly and it is now becoming an increasingly important vector and a common cause of epidemics in Aedes aegypti-free countries [48][49][50]. Human-to-mosquito transmission occurs once the mosquito takes a blood meal from DENV-infected people who are viremic, which is normally up to 2 days before someone shows symptoms of the illness or up to 2 days after the fever has resolved.…”

“…have grown dramatically around the world accompanied by the wide distribution of the two main vector mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which today are fully adapted to human dwellings creating new opportunities not only for DENV but also for other arthropod-transmitted viruses (arboviruses) transmission, such as Zika virus (ZIKV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), within human populations. These features along with the continuous growing of urbanization, globalization, and the lack of effective mosquito control represent some of the critical factors that have contributed to the emergence and reemergence of mosquito-transmitted viruses around the world [48,87,88].…”