Patterns of Ecological Adaptation of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Aedes albopictus</i> and <i>Stegomyia</i> Indices Highlight the Potential Risk of Arbovirus Transmission in Yaoundé, the Capital City of Cameroon

The dynamic of arbovirus vectors such as <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i> remains poorly understood in large cities in central Africa. Here, we compared the larval ecology, geographical distribution and degree of infestation of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Armel N. Tedjou, Basile Kamgang, Aurélie P. Yougang, Theodel A. Wilson-Bahun, Flobert Njiokou, Charles S. Wondji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/6/491
Description
Summary:The dynamic of arbovirus vectors such as <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i> remains poorly understood in large cities in central Africa. Here, we compared the larval ecology, geographical distribution and degree of infestation of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i> in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, and estimated their <i>Stegomyia</i> indices revealing a significant potential risk of arbovirus transmission. An entomological survey was conducted in April–May 2018 in a cluster of houses randomly selected. Each selected house was inspected, the number of inhabitants was recorded, and potential and positive containers for <i>Aedes</i> were characterized. <i>Stegomyia</i> and pupae-based indices were estimated. Overall, 447 houses and 954 containers were inspected comprising 10,801 immature stages of <i>Aedes</i> with 84.95% of <i>Ae. albopictus</i> and 15.05% of <i>Ae. aegypti</i>. Both species bred mainly in discarded tanks and used tyres, associated with turbid water and the presence of plant debris inside containers. <i>Aedes albopictus</i> was the most prevalent species in almost all neighbourhoods. The house index, Breteau index, and container index were higher for <i>Ae. albopictus</i> (38.26%, 71.81%, and 29.61%) compared to those of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> (25.73%, 40.93%, and 16.88%). These indices are high compared to the thresholds established by Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, which suggests a high potential risk of arbovirus transmission.
ISSN:2076-0817