First record of S tegomyia albopicta (=  A edes albopictus ) in M orocco: a major threat to public health in N orth  A frica?

• Published in: Medical and veterinary entomology 2017-03, Vol.31 (1), p.102-106
• Main Authors: BENNOUNA, A., BALENGHIEN, T., EL RHAFFOULI, H., SCHAFFNER, F., GARROS, C., GARDÈS, L., LHOR, Y., HAMMOUMI, S., CHLYEH, G., FASSI FIHRI, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0269-283X; 1365-2915
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12194

The A sian tiger mosquito S tegomyia albopicta (=  A edes albopictus ) ( D iptera: C ulicidae), native to A sian forests, is a nuisance mosquito and is responsible for the transmission of arboviruses of public health importance, such as dengue, chikungunya and Z ika viruses. It has colonized parts of all continents, except A ntarctica, over the past 30–40 years. However, to date, the only records of S . albopicta in N orth A frica refer to occasional collections in 2010 and 2014 in A lgeria. In early S eptember 2015, S . albopicta larvae and adults were collected in a district of R abat, M orocco. Morphological identification was confirmed by molecular analysis. This is the first record of this invasive mosquito in M orocco. A national surveillance programme will be implemented in 2016 to establish its geographical distribution in M orocco and to instigate control measures to prevent the establishment of new populations and the transmission of arboviruses.