Autor(es)Dhimal Meghnath, Gautam Ishan, Joshi Hari Datt, O'Hara Robert B, Ahrens Bodo, Kuch Ulrich

ResumoThe presence of the recently introduced primary dengue virus vector mosquito Aedes aegypti in Nepal, in association with the likely indigenous secondary vector Aedes albopictus, raises public health concerns. Chikungunya fever cases have also been reported in Nepal, - the virus causing this disease is also transmitted by these mosquito species. Here we report the results of a study on the risk factors for the presence of chikungunya - dengue virus vectors, their elevational ceiling of distribution, - climatic determinants of their abundance in central Nepal. We collected immature stages of mosquitoes during six monthly cross-sectional surveys covering six administrative districts along an altitudinal transect in central Nepal that extended from Birgunj (80 m above sea level [asl]) to Dhunche (highest altitude sampled: 2,100 m asl). The dengue vectors Ae. aegypti - Ae. albopictus were commonly found up to 1,350 m asl in Kathm-u valley - were present but rarely found from 1,750 to 2,100 m asl in Dhunche. The lymphatic filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus was commonly found throughout the study transect. Physiographic region, month of collection, collection station - container type were significant predictors of the occurrence - co-occurrence of Ae. aegypti - Ae. albopictus. The climatic variables rainfall, temperature, - relative humidity were significant predictors of chikungunya - dengue virus vectors abundance. We conclude that chikungunya - dengue virus vectors have already established their populations up to the High Mountain region of Nepal - that this may be attributed to the environmental - climate change that has been observed over the decades in Nepal. The rapid expansion of the distribution of these important disease vectors in the High Mountain region, previously considered to be non-endemic for dengue - chikungunya fever, calls for urgent actions to protect the health of local people - tourists travelling in the central Himalayas.

ImprentaPLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 9, n. 3, p. e0003545, 2015

DescritoresChikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Transmission ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Dengue ; Chikungunya virus - Public health

Data de Publicação:2015