Characterization of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the dengue vector population established in urban areas of Fernando de Noronha, a Brazilian oceanic island.
Aedes aegypti has played a major role in the dramatic expansion of dengue worldwide. The failure of control programs in reducing the rhythm of global dengue expansion through vector control suggests the need for studies to support more appropriated control strategies. We report here the results of a longitudinal study on Ae. aegypti population dynamics through continuous egg sampling aiming to characterize the infestation of urban areas of a Brazilian oceanic island, Fernando de Noronha. The spatial and temporal distribution of the dengue vector population in urban areas of the island was described using a monitoring system (SMCP-Aedes) based on a 103-trap network for Aedes egg sampling, using GIS and spatial statistics analysis tools. Mean egg densities were estimated over a 29-month period starting in 2011 and producing monthly maps of mosquito abundance. The system detected continuous Ae. aegypti oviposition in most traps. The high global positive ovitrap index (POI=83.7% of 2815 events) indicated the frequent presence of blood-fed-egg laying females at every sampling station. Egg density (eggs/ovitrap/month) reached peak values of 297.3 (0 - 2020) in May and 295 (0 - 2140) in August 2012. The presence of a stable Ae. aegypti population established throughout the inhabited areas of the island was demonstrated. A strong association between egg abundance and rainfall with a 2-month lag was observed, which combined with a first-order autocorrelation observed in the series of egg counts can provide an important forecasting tool. This first description of the characteristics of the island infestation by the dengue vector provides baseline information to analyze relationships between the spatial distribution of the vector and dengue cases, and to the development of integrated vector control strategies.
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil. Electronic address: leda@cpqam.fiocruz.br.
Lêda N
LN
Regis
Health Department of the District of Fernando de Noronha-PE, Brazil.
Ridelane Veiga
RV
Acioli
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
José Constantino
JC
Silveira
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
Maria Alice Varjal
MA
de Melo-Santos
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
Mércia Cristiane Santana
MC
da Cunha
Health Department of the District of Fernando de Noronha-PE, Brazil.
Fátima
F
Souza
Health Department of the District of Fernando de Noronha-PE, Brazil.
Carlos Alberto Vieira
CA
Batista
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
Rosângela Maria Rodrigues
RM
Barbosa
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
Cláudia Maria Fontes
CM
de Oliveira
Departamento de Entomologia, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
Constância Flávia Junqueira
CF
Ayres
Centro de Ciência do Sistema Terrestre, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, INPE, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
Antonio Miguel Vieira
AM
Monteiro
Departamento de Saúde Coletiva, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil.
Wayner Vieira
WV
Souza
D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D003715:Dengue / Q000635:transmission*; D004772:Entomology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D062312:Islands; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011157:Population Dynamics; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis; D014505:Urban Population
Aedes monitoring system; Bti; Dengue vector; GIS; Mosquito surveillance; Ovitrap