GIS-Enhanced Survey of Potential Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Artificial Oviposition Containers Distributed across Communities in Trinidad, West Indies.

Simple Summary: Household surveys of communities for potential oviposition containers by mosquito control teams offer effective mechanisms for reducing arbovirus transmission. Here, we combined standard community surveys with GIS mapping to identify premises with Aedes-positive containers and classify container types near the end of the dry season in Trinidad, West Indies. The entomological indices based on key containers (tanks, drums, tubs/basins/buckets) showed that two of the four locations surveyed were already at a high risk for arbovirus transmission going into the wet season. GIS mapping provided inspection teams with specific locations that had Aedes-positive containers and highlighted premises that were not accessible. This information can facilitate the identification of areas within communities that may be at greater risk and should be prioritized for future surveys and control efforts; it also highlights the need to inform and increase community participation. Dengue and other arboviruses remain a global threat, and enhanced efforts to control the mosquitoes that transmit them are urgently needed. A survey of potential manmade Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) oviposition containers was performed in four communities near the end of the typical dry season in 2018 in Trinidad, West Indies. The purpose was to conduct individual premise surveys and use GIS mapping to visualize premises within communities that had Aedes-positive containers, as this information could be used for the prioritization of mosquito control efforts in potential high risk areas as the wet season progressed. Accessible premises were surveyed following standard inspection protocols used by the Insect Vector Control Division (IVCD), Ministry of Health (MOH). The results indicated that two of the four locations would be at high risk for arbovirus transmission going into the wet season. The GIS mapping of premises with Aedes-positive containers facilitated the identification of potential hot spots for arbovirus transmission risk within communities that should be prioritized for enhanced monitoring and vector control efforts, emphasizing the need to increase community participation in standard surveys by IVCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]