Líbia Zé-Zé, Inês Campos Freitas, Manuel Silva, Patrícia Soares, Maria João Alves, Hugo Costa Osório
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito, has become one of the most invasive mosquito species. Over the last 5 decades, it has been introduced and established in various tropical and temperate regions worldwide. First reported in Europe in 1979 in Albania and later in Italy in 1990, the species is now established in 13 European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) countries and 337 regions (2023). In Portugal, Ae. albopictus was first detected in the Algarve and Penafiel regions in 2017, followed by Alentejo in 2022 and Lisbon in 2023. This mosquito species poses a significant public health risk as a vector for numerous pathogenic viruses, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Aedes albopictus collected in Lisbon in 2023 were analyzed using cytochrome c oxidase I (COX) gene sequencing to understand their genetic relationships. Our data indicate that the Ae. albopictus mosquito populations detected in three locations in Lisbon in 2023 correspond to recent but distinct introduction events. Although there has been no local transmission of Aedes-transmitted viruses in mainland Portugal to date, the spread of the mosquito and increased international travel increase the risk of Aedes-borne disease outbreaks. The ongoing spread of Ae. albopictus in the country and the confirmed multiple introductions in new locations raise awareness of the need to monitor mosquito vectors to control and prevent autochthonous Aedes-borne disease outbreaks.
期刊介绍:
Parasites & Vectors is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal dealing with the biology of parasites, parasitic diseases, intermediate hosts, vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Manuscripts published in this journal will be available to all worldwide, with no barriers to access, immediately following acceptance. However, authors retain the copyright of their material and may use it, or distribute it, as they wish.
Manuscripts on all aspects of the basic and applied biology of parasites, intermediate hosts, vectors and vector-borne pathogens will be considered. In addition to the traditional and well-established areas of science in these fields, we also aim to provide a vehicle for publication of the rapidly developing resources and technology in parasite, intermediate host and vector genomics and their impacts on biological research. We are able to publish large datasets and extensive results, frequently associated with genomic and post-genomic technologies, which are not readily accommodated in traditional journals. Manuscripts addressing broader issues, for example economics, social sciences and global climate change in relation to parasites, vectors and disease control, are also welcomed.