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Title: A regional One Health approach to the risk of invasion by Anopheles stephensi in Mauritius
BackgroundAnopheles stephensiis an invasive malaria vector in Africa that threatens to put an additional 126 million people at risk of malaria if it continues to spread. The island nation of Mauritius is highly connected to Asia and Africa and is at risk of introduction due to this connectivity. For early detection ofAn.stephensi, the Vector Biology and Control Division under the Ministry of Health in Mauritius, leveraged a well-establishedAedesprogram, asAn.stephensiis known to shareAedeshabitats. These efforts triggered multisectoral coordination and cascading benefits of integrated vector and One Health approaches. MethodsBeginning June 2021, entomological surveys were conducted at points of entry (seaport, airport) and on ships transporting livestock in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Department, the Mauritian Port Authority and National Veterinary Services.A total of 18, 39, 723 mosquito larval surveys were respectively conducted in the airport, seaport, and other localities in Mauritius while two, 20, and 26 adult mosquito surveys were respectively conducted in the airport, seaport, and twenty-six animal assembly points. Alongside adult mosquito surveys, surveillance of vectors of veterinary importance (e.g.-Culicoidesspp.) was also carried out in collaboration with National Parks and Conservation Service and land owners. ResultsA total of 8,428 adult mosquitoes were collected and 1,844 larval habitats were positive for mosquitoes. All collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified and 151Anophelesand 339Aedesmosquitoes were also molecularly characterized. Mosquito species detected wereAedes albopictus,Anopheles arabiensis,An.coustani,An.merus,Culex quinquefasciatus,Cx.thalassiusandLutzia tigripes.Anopheles stephensiwas not detected. The One Health approach was shared with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), strengthening collaboration between Mauritius and Réunion Island on vector surveillance at entry points and insecticide resistance monitoring. The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) was also alerted to the risk ofAn.stephensi, leading to regional efforts supporting trainings and development of a response strategy toAn.stephensibringing together stakeholders from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion Island and Seychelles. ConclusionsMauritius is a model system showing how existing public health entomology capabilities can be used to enhance vector surveillance and control and create multisectoral networks to respond to any emerging public and veterinary health vector-borne disease threat.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2014547
PAR ID:
10552524
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Editor(s):
Christofferson, Rebecca C
Publisher / Repository:
PLOS
Date Published:
Journal Name:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume:
18
Issue:
9
ISSN:
1935-2735
Page Range / eLocation ID:
e0011827
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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