Mosquito-Borne Viral Pathogens Detected in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne viral diseases are a threat to global health. This systematic review aimed to investigate the available evidence of mosquito-borne viral pathogens reported in Zambia. A search of literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published from 1 January 1930 to 30 June 2020 using a combination of keywords. Eight mosquito-borne viruses belonging to three families, Togaviridae, Flaviviridae and Phenuiviridae were reported. Three viruses (Chikungunya virus, Mayaro virus, Mwinilunga virus) were reported among the togaviruses whilst four (dengue virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus) were among the flavivirus and only one virus, Rift Valley fever virus, was reported in the Phenuiviridae family. The majority of these mosquito-borne viruses were reported in Western and North-Western provinces. Aedes and Culex species were the main mosquito-borne viral vectors reported. Farming, fishing, movement of people and rain patterns were among factors associated with mosquito-borne viral infection in Zambia. Better diagnostic methods, such as the use of molecular tools, to detect the viruses in potential vectors, humans, and animals, including the recognition of arboviral risk zones and how the viruses circulate, are important for improved surveillance and design of effective prevention and control measures.

Aedes albopictusis present in the lowlands of southern Zambia

“…albopictus in two out of the seven locations that we sampled in Zambia: Siavonga (509m) and Livingstone (903m). Environmental niche models have previously predicted Siavonga as a favorable site for Aedes occurrence (Velu et al 2021). Aedes albopictus was absent from collections we made at the three urban locations with higher altitude (Lusaka: 1,275; Mazabuka: 1,046m; and Chipata: 1,185m) and from two of the other rural locations (North Luangwa National Park: 595m, and Shesheke: 952m).…”

“…albopictus in two out of the seven locations that we sampled in Zambia: Siavonga (509m) and Livingstone (903m). Environmental niche models have previously predicted Siavonga as a favorable site for Aedes occurrence (Velu et al . 2021).…”

Ecological Niche Modeling of Aedes and Culex Mosquitoes: A Risk Map for Chikungunya and West Nile Viruses in Zambia

“…The Culex and Aedes probability maps showed that most parts of the country are suitable habitats for these species but mainly the regions along Lake Kariba, the Kafue River, and the Luangwa river-basin districts, as well as the Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kapiri, and Mpika districts. Interestingly, most of these areas have reported some mosquito-borne viral activity, which was confirmed by serological surveys and the detection of viruses [ 11 , 17 , 27 , 30 , 48 ], except for the districts in the Muchinga province; this exception may imply a lack of documented data rather than an actual absence of the circulation of mosquito-borne viruses given the favorable environmental conditions in the area.…”

“…The study sites included Lusaka, Sinazongwe, and the Kapiri districts in Lusaka and in the Southern and Central provinces, respectively, which are part of Regions I and II. These sites were chosen based on previous reports of mosquito-borne viral activity in the country [ 27 ].…”

INFECTION OF HUMAN MACROPHAGES BY Angomonas deanei (Crithidia deanei) AND Herpertomonas roitmani

“…Após a picada de um mosquito infectado, o MAYV pode progredir para uma fase crônica, causando sintomas persistentes, incluindo artrite, e, em casos graves, complicações neurológicas, hemorragias, miocardite e óbito (ACOSTA-AMOUDIA et al, 2018; MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE, 2023). Medidas de controle de vetores, como uso de repelentes, mosquiteiros e eliminação de locais de reprodução de mosquitos, são necessárias para prevenir a propagação do MAYV, visto que ainda não existe uma vacina disponível (MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE, 2019; DE BARROS et al, 2021).A Febre do Mayaro é considerada uma doença emergente devido ao aumento de casos, disseminação geográfica e impacto na saúde pública, exigindo atenção contínua para controle e pesquisa(ACOSTA-AMOUDIA et al, 2018;VELU et al, 2021).…”