Detection of the Invasive Mosquito Species Aedes ( Stegomyia ) albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Portugal

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2018-04, Vol.15 (4), p.820
• Main Authors: Osório, Hugo Costa, Zé-Zé, Líbia, Neto, Maria, Silva, Sílvia, Marques, Fátima, Silva, Ana Sofia, Alves, Maria João
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Adults; Aedes; Aedes - genetics; Aedes - physiology; Aedes - virology; Aedes aegypti; Airports; Animals; Arboviruses - isolation & purification; Culicidae; Diptera; Disease control; Disease transmission; Disease Vectors; Dispersal; Dispersion; Health surveillance; Identification; Infectious diseases; Introduced Species - statistics & numerical data; Molecular chains; Moniz, Egas; Mosquito Vectors - genetics; Mosquito Vectors - physiology; Mosquito Vectors - virology; Mosquitoes; Outbreaks; Phylogeny; Portugal; Public health; Stegomyia; Surveillance; Typing; Vector-borne diseases; Viruses; West Nile virus; Zika Virus - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15040820

The Asian tiger mosquito is an invasive mosquito originating from the Asia-Pacific region. This species is of major concern to public and veterinary health because of its vector role in the transmission of several pathogens, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses. In Portugal, a National Vector Surveillance Network (REde de VIgilância de VEctores-REVIVE) is responsible for the surveillance of autochthonous, but also invasive, mosquito species at points of entry, such as airports, ports, storage areas, and specific border regions with Spain. At these locations, networks of mosquito traps are set and maintained under surveillance throughout the year. In September 2017, was detected for the first time in a tyre company located in the North of Portugal. Molecular typing was performed, and a preliminary phylogenetic analysis indicated a high similarity with sequences of collected in Europe. A prompt surveillance response was locally implemented to determine its dispersal and abundance, and adult mosquitoes were screened for the presence of arboviral RNA. A total of 103 specimens, 52 immatures and 51 adults, were collected. No pathogenic viruses were detected. Despite the obtained results suggest low abundance of the population locally introduced, the risk of dispersal and potential establishment of in Portugal has raised concern for autochthonous mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.