Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019

Mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health. The mere presence of a single case of vector-borne disease (VBD) introduces a risk to the local community particularly when associated with the compatible vector, host, and suitable environmental factors. Presently, there is...

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Main Authors: Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd, Bansal Devendra, Mardini Khaled, Sultan Ali A., Al-Thani Mohammed Hamad J., Al-Marri Salih Ali, Al-Hajri Mohammed, Al-Romaihi Hamad, Schaffner Francis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2021-01-01
Series:Parasite
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.parasite-journal.org/articles/parasite/full_html/2021/01/parasite210091/parasite210091.html
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author Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd
Bansal Devendra
Mardini Khaled
Sultan Ali A.
Al-Thani Mohammed Hamad J.
Al-Marri Salih Ali
Al-Hajri Mohammed
Al-Romaihi Hamad
Schaffner Francis
author_facet Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd
Bansal Devendra
Mardini Khaled
Sultan Ali A.
Al-Thani Mohammed Hamad J.
Al-Marri Salih Ali
Al-Hajri Mohammed
Al-Romaihi Hamad
Schaffner Francis
author_sort Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd
collection DOAJ
description Mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health. The mere presence of a single case of vector-borne disease (VBD) introduces a risk to the local community particularly when associated with the compatible vector, host, and suitable environmental factors. Presently, there is no well-established vector control and surveillance programme in Qatar; therefore, the likelihood of VBDs spreading is undetermined. As a result, there is a pressing need to address this gap and enable successful management of VBDs. This study presents the results of three consecutive field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2019 with the aim of defining the types and distribution of mosquitoes that are of public health importance in Qatar. The results of the adult mosquito trappings show that the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus is the most widespread and abundant mosquito species, followed by Cx. perexiguus, both species representing a risk of West Nile virus transmission. All sampling methods show that the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi is widespread including in urbanised areas, suggesting a risk of local malaria transmission. The wetland mosquito Aedes caspius is also widespread, representing a risk of Rift Valley fever virus transmission. The dengue vector Ae. aegypti was not detected and can be considered neither widespread nor abundant, suggesting a minimal risk for local transmission of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. Interestingly, the study detected Culiseta longiareolata for the first time in Qatar. Regular field studies are needed to further address the knowledge gaps in terms of distribution, ecology, and biting habits of different mosquito species currently present in Qatar to accurately assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
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spelling doaj.art-0c84663b19c3411f876cdcd998703a472023-12-02T09:42:14ZengEDP SciencesParasite1776-10422021-01-01288410.1051/parasite/2021079parasite210091Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1281-6205Bansal Devendra1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1387-4335Mardini Khaled2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4691-5479Sultan Ali A.3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0342-0313Al-Thani Mohammed Hamad J.4Al-Marri Salih Ali5Al-Hajri Mohammed6Al-Romaihi Hamad7Schaffner Francishttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9166-7617Ministry of Public HealthMinistry of Public HealthFriends of the Environment CenterDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell UniversityMinistry of Public HealthMinistry of Public HealthMinistry of Public HealthMinistry of Public HealthMosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health. The mere presence of a single case of vector-borne disease (VBD) introduces a risk to the local community particularly when associated with the compatible vector, host, and suitable environmental factors. Presently, there is no well-established vector control and surveillance programme in Qatar; therefore, the likelihood of VBDs spreading is undetermined. As a result, there is a pressing need to address this gap and enable successful management of VBDs. This study presents the results of three consecutive field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2019 with the aim of defining the types and distribution of mosquitoes that are of public health importance in Qatar. The results of the adult mosquito trappings show that the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus is the most widespread and abundant mosquito species, followed by Cx. perexiguus, both species representing a risk of West Nile virus transmission. All sampling methods show that the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi is widespread including in urbanised areas, suggesting a risk of local malaria transmission. The wetland mosquito Aedes caspius is also widespread, representing a risk of Rift Valley fever virus transmission. The dengue vector Ae. aegypti was not detected and can be considered neither widespread nor abundant, suggesting a minimal risk for local transmission of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. Interestingly, the study detected Culiseta longiareolata for the first time in Qatar. Regular field studies are needed to further address the knowledge gaps in terms of distribution, ecology, and biting habits of different mosquito species currently present in Qatar to accurately assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.https://www.parasite-journal.org/articles/parasite/full_html/2021/01/parasite210091/parasite210091.htmlculicidaedistributionvector speciessurveillanceqatararabic peninsula
spellingShingle Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd
Bansal Devendra
Mardini Khaled
Sultan Ali A.
Al-Thani Mohammed Hamad J.
Al-Marri Salih Ali
Al-Hajri Mohammed
Al-Romaihi Hamad
Schaffner Francis
Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019
Parasite
culicidae
distribution
vector species
surveillance
qatar
arabic peninsula
title Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019
title_full Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019
title_fullStr Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019
title_full_unstemmed Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019
title_short Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019
title_sort identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in qatar in 2017 2019
topic culicidae
distribution
vector species
surveillance
qatar
arabic peninsula
url https://www.parasite-journal.org/articles/parasite/full_html/2021/01/parasite210091/parasite210091.html
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