Species composition, seasonal prevalence and flavivirus occurrence of mosquitoes in Daegu and Gunwi, South Korea during the period of 2015–2016

Abstract

As the vector‐borne diseases rapidly increased due to climate change, we investigated the incidence of flavivirus occurrence among female mosquito species in urban and rural study sites in Daegu and Gunwi, South Korea using Realtime PCR. We collected more individuals and more species of mosquito in 2016 than in 2015. In 2015, we recorded a total of 22,033 mosquitoes (Trap Index, 224.8) representing 10 species from 5 genera, whereas in 2016, a total of 27,137 mosquitoes (Trap Index, 278.7) representing 13 species from 6 genera were collected. The number of mosquitoes in 2016 was higher in all study sites, except in the migratory bird habitats where the number decreased. Of the 14 species collected over the two years, Aedes vexans nipponii and Anopheles spp. were dominant in the cowsheds in rural farmland; Culex pipiens complex, in urban residential areas; and, Anopheles spp. and Cu. pipiens complex in migratory bird habitats caught in a black light trap. Cu. pipiens complex and Ae. albopictus in urban parks and Ae. albopictus and Armigeres subalbatus in migratory bird habitats were the dominant species caught in BG‐sentinel traps. We found that the number of mosquitoes was highest during July–September. We analyzed 1,725 pools to detect flavivirus, where Chaoyang virus was detected among Ae. vexans niponii collected from cowsheds in rural farmland in 2016. The increased number of mosquitoes recorded in 2016 was mainly due to increased temperatures in the study areas, and reflected the change in study sites.

Occurrence rates of wild rodent hosts and chigger mites and the infection rate ofOrientia tsutsugamushiin the central region of South Korea from 2015 to 2018

“…On the basis of these circumstances, in order to monitor outbreaks, population growth of endemic disease vectors, and the introduction and spread of foreign vectors, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established centers in 16 regions nationwide and has been regularly monitoring outbreaks of mosquitoes, chigger mites, and hard ticks in approximately 200 sites since 2014 (Kim et al . , ; Choi et al . ).…”

“…Moreover, there is also a growing risk of outbreaks of foreign infectious diseases because of the introduction of vectors from abroad (Lee 2016). On the basis of these circumstances, in order to monitor outbreaks, population growth of endemic disease vectors, and the introduction and spread of foreign vectors, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established centers in 16 regions nationwide and has been regularly monitoring outbreaks of mosquitoes, chigger mites, and hard ticks in approximately 200 sites since 2014 (Kim et al 2018a(Kim et al , 2018bChoi et al 2017). The information obtained from this surveillance is being used to help ascertain and predict weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual trends in vectors and disease outbreaks, and ultimately contributes to the improvement of public health.…”

Seasonal surveillance of mosquitoes in three different habitats in Gyeongbuk Province, Republic of Korea, 2017–2019

“…Similarly, Culex pipiens complex is a primary mediator of WNV, for which no cases have been reported in Korea (Hayes et al 2005), but Cx. pipiens complex is also broadly found in Korea (Choi et al 2017, Jegal et al 2020, Kim et al 2018a, Kim et al 2018b, implying the possibility of rapid spread of these infectious diseases if these viruses are accidently introduced to Korea. In fact, recently, DENV, which was not indigenous, has been detected in native mosquitoes, and dengue fever patients infected by native mosquitoes have been reported in France and Japan (Quam et al 2016;Succo et al 2016), emphasizing the threat of exotic mosquito-borne diseases in Korea.…”

“…Although DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV have not been detected in domestic mosquitoes in Korea, Aedes albopictus is one of the major vectors of these infectious diseases in their epidemic countries (Back & Lundkvist 2013;Coffey et al 2014;Grard et al 2014), and Ae. albopictus inhabits all of the Korean Peninsula (Choi et al 2017;Jegal et al 2020;Kim et al 2018a;Kim et al 2018b). Similarly, Culex pipiens complex is a primary mediator of WNV, for which no cases have been reported in Korea (Hayes et al 2005), but Cx.…”

Distribution and mitochondrial DNA tracing of the invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) in South Korea

“…2018a; Kim et al . 2018b). Many IAS spread rapidly because they can outcompete indigenous species for the resources in the new environment (Carpintero & Reyes‐López 2008; Holway 1999; Kareiva 1966; Mooney & Drake 1986).…”