1. A regional One Health approach to the risk of invasion by Anopheles stephensi in Mauritius
- Author
-
Iyaloo, Diana P., Zohdy, Sarah, Carney, Ryan M., Ramdonee Mosawa, Vanina, Elahee, Khouaildi Bin, Munglee, Nabiihah, Latchooman, Nilesh, Puryag, Surendra, Bheecarry, Ambicadutt, Bhoobun, Hemant, Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo, Harentsoaniaina, Bedja, Saïd Ahmed, Spear, Joseph, Baldet, Thierry, Carter, Tamar E., Iyaloo, Diana P., Zohdy, Sarah, Carney, Ryan M., Ramdonee Mosawa, Vanina, Elahee, Khouaildi Bin, Munglee, Nabiihah, Latchooman, Nilesh, Puryag, Surendra, Bheecarry, Ambicadutt, Bhoobun, Hemant, Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo, Harentsoaniaina, Bedja, Saïd Ahmed, Spear, Joseph, Baldet, Thierry, and Carter, Tamar E.
- Abstract
Background: Anopheles stephensi 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 An. stephensi, the Vector Biology and Control Division under the Ministry of Health in Mauritius, leveraged a well-established Aedes program, as An. stephensi is known to share Aedes habitats. These efforts triggered multisectoral coordination and cascading benefits of integrated vector and One Health approaches. Methods: 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. 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.- Culicoides spp.) was also carried out in collaboration with National Parks and Conservation Service and land owners. Results: 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 Anopheles and 339 Aedes mosquitoes were also molecularly characterized. Mosquito species detected were Aedes albopictus, Anopheles arabiensis, An. coustani, An. merus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. thalassius and Lutzia tigripes. Anopheles stephensi 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 Islan
- Published
- 2024