Updating the geographical distribution and frequency of Aedes
albopictus in Brazil with remarks regarding its range in the
Americas |
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| Authors: | Roberta Gomes Carvalho Ricardo Louren?o-de-Oliveira Ima Aparecida Braga |
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| Institution: | 1. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brasil;2. Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil |
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| Abstract: | The geographical distribution of Aedes albopictus in Brazil was updated according to
the data recorded across the country over the last eight years. Countrywide house
indexes (HI) for Ae. albopictus in urban and suburban areas were described for the
first time using a sample of Brazilian municipalities. This mosquito is currently
present in at least 59% of the Brazilian municipalities and in 24 of the 27 federal
units (i.e., 26 states and the Federal District). In 34 Brazilian municipalities, the
HI values for Ae. albopictus were higher than those recorded for Ae. aegypti,
reaching figures as high as HI = 7.72 in the Southeast Region. Remarks regarding the
current range of this mosquito species in the Americas are also presented. Nineteen
American countries are currently infested and few mainland American countries have
not confirmed the occurrence of Ae. albopictus. The large distribution and high
frequency of Ae. albopictus in the Americas may become a critical factor in the
spread of arboviruses like chikungunya in the new world. |
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| Keywords: | Aedes albopictus distribution house index infestation surveillance |
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