Spatial pattern evolution of Aedes aegypti breeding sites in an Argentinean city without a dengue vector control programme

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to obtain and analyse the space-time dynamics of Aedes aegypti breeding sites in Clorinda City, Formosa Province, Argentina coupled with landscape analysis using the maximum entropy approach in order to generate a dengue vector niche model. In urban areas, without vector control activities, 12 entomologic (larval) samplings were performed during three years (October 2011 to October 2014). The entomologic surveillance area represented 16,511 houses. Predictive models for Aedes distribution were developed using vector breeding abundance data, density analysis, clustering and geoprocessing techniques coupled with Earth observation satellite data. The spatial analysis showed a vector spatial distribution pattern with clusters of high density in the central region of Clorinda with a well-defined high-risk area in the western part of the city. It also showed a differential temporal behaviour among different areas, which could have implications for risk models and control strategies at the urban scale. The niche model obtained for Ae. aegypti, based on only one year of field data, showed that 85.8% of the distribution of breeding sites is explained by the percentage of water supply (48.2%), urban distribution (33.2%), and the percentage of urban coverage (4.4%). The consequences for the development of control strategies are discussed with reference to the results obtained using distribution maps based on environmental variables.

Social-ecological factors and preventive actions decrease the risk of dengue infection at the household-level: results from a prospective dengue surveillance study in Machala, Ecuador

“…Aedes aegypti is a tropical mosquito that has adapted to live and breed in urban environments [5,6]. Ae.…”

Arbovirus Vectors of Epidemiological Concern in the Americas: A Scoping Review of Entomological Studies on Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Virus Vectors

“…aegypti infestation and productivity [91]. Espinosa et al [92] used vector breeding, density and cluster data to produce GIS models of Ae. aegypti spatial patterns in Argentina.…”

“…Proportion of urban coverage, urban form, and water supply most strongly predicted Ae. aegypti distribution [92]. In a similar modelling study, Little et al [93] found that decaying infrastructure and vegetation levels significantly influenced Ae.…”

Spatial population dynamics and temporal analysis of the distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the city of Clorinda, Formosa, Argentina

“…This is considered a robust input to explain vectors abundance [29, 35, 36]. This methodology has been tested for other vectors such as Aedes aegypti [22, 37] but in this study, we developed a specific methodology for Lu. longipalpis that included more variables and the use of a different statistical approach.…”

“…The climate is subtropical without a dry season, humid subtropical climate (Cfa) type according to the Köeppen-Greiger classification, with a mean annual median temperature of 23 °C (ranging from -2 °C to 43 °C), and an average annual rainfall of 1300 mm. The driest period in this region is from June to August [22]. Clorinda’s urban area has 53,506 inhabitants distributed in 980 blocks, while Puerto Pilcomayo is an area of 669 inhabitants contiguous to the south-east border of the city where rural-periurban houses are scattered along 11 km on the river bank [23].…”