Journal ArticleA regional One Health approach to the risk of invasion by Anopheles stephensi in MauritiusIyaloo, Diana P; Zohdy, Sarah; Carney, Ryan M; Mosawa, Varina Ramdonee; Elahee, Khouaildi B; Munglee, Nabiihah; Latchooman, Nilesh; Puryag, Surendra; Bheecarry, Ambicadutt; Bhoobun, Hemant; Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo, Harena; Bedja, Saïd Ahmed; Spear, Joseph; Baldet, Thierry; Carter, Tamar EChristofferson, Rebecca C<sec id='sec001'><title>Background</title><p><italic>Anopheles stephensi</italic>is 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 of<italic>An</italic>.<italic>stephensi</italic>, the Vector Biology and Control Division under the Ministry of Health in Mauritius, leveraged a well-established<italic>Aedes</italic>program, as<italic>An</italic>.<italic>stephensi</italic>is known to share<italic>Aedes</italic>habitats. These efforts triggered multisectoral coordination and cascading benefits of integrated vector and One Health approaches.</p></sec> <sec id='sec002'><title>Methods</title><p>Beginning 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.</p><p>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.-<italic>Culicoides</italic>spp.) was also carried out in collaboration with National Parks and Conservation Service and land owners.</p></sec> <sec id='sec003'><title>Results</title><p>A total of 8,428 adult mosquitoes were collected and 1,844 larval habitats were positive for mosquitoes. All collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified and 151<italic>Anopheles</italic>and 339<italic>Aedes</italic>mosquitoes were also molecularly characterized. Mosquito species detected were<italic>Aedes albopictus</italic>,<italic>Anopheles arabiensis</italic>,<italic>An</italic>.<italic>coustani</italic>,<italic>An</italic>.<italic>merus</italic>,<italic>Culex quinquefasciatus</italic>,<italic>Cx</italic>.<italic>thalassius</italic>and<italic>Lutzia tigripes</italic>.<italic>Anopheles stephensi</italic>was 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 of<italic>An</italic>.<italic>stephensi</italic>, leading to regional efforts supporting trainings and development of a response strategy to<italic>An</italic>.<italic>stephensi</italic>bringing together stakeholders from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion Island and Seychelles.</p></sec> <sec id='sec004'><title>Conclusions</title><p>Mauritius 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.</p></sec>PLOS2024-09-1110552524PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases189e00118271935-2735https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.00118272014547National Science Foundation