Ascension Island: a survey to assess the presence of Zika virus vectors.
OBJECTIVE
Following concerns regarding the spread of Zika virus, Joint Services Health Unit (Cyprus) were tasked to carry out a mosquito survey on the Ascension Island, South Atlantic. This was to determine if vectors of the virus such asAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictuswere introduced and established on the Island.


METHODS
An extensive survey of residential areas and natural habitats was initiated in order to collect mosquito larvae and adults by methods such as larval sampling, adult trapping and human landing catches.


RESULTS
A. aegyptiorA. albopictuswere not collected by any of the three methods employed.Culex quinquefasciatuswas the only species collected by all three methods.C. quinquefasciatusis a vector of lymphatic filariasis that can easily be transported by human means by air or sea. It is a container breeding species that lives in close proximity to human settlements and can cause significant amount of nuisance.


CONCLUSIONS
Ascension Island is connected by air and sea with areas of the world where container breeding species such asA. albopictusandA. aegyptiare established, therefore, it is not unlikely that these species become introduced to Ascension in the future. Sound surveillance on Ascension is imperative in order to act as an early warning and rapid response system for invasive mosquito species as well as a guide for the implementation of control measures againstC. quinquefasciatus.
Joint Services Health Unit (Cyprus), RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.
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G
Bullivant
Entomology Department, Joint Services Health Unit (Cyprus), RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.
A F
AF
Martinou
D000818:Animals; D001266:Atlantic Islands; D003465:Culex / Q000821:virology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D007814:Larva; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology
D014867:Water
Culex quinquefasciatus; Invasive species; control; mosquito; surveillance