Abstract
Culex tritaeniorhynchus is an important vector that transmits a variety of human and animal diseases. Japanese encephalitis (JE), an endemic disease in the Asia-Pacific region, is primarily transmitted by Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Insufficient monitoring of vector mosquitoes has led to a poor understanding of the distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in China. To delineate the habitat of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and any host and environmental factors that affect its distribution, we used a maximum entropy modeling method to predict its distribution in China. Our models provided high resolution predictions on the potential distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. The predicted suitable habitats of the JE vector were correlated with areas of high JE incidence in parts of China. Factors driving the distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in China were also revealed by our models. Furthermore, human population density and the maximum NDVI were the most important predictors in our models. Bioclimate factors and elevation also significantly impacted the distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Our findings may serve as a reference for vector and disease control.
Highlights
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonosis caused by infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)
Swine play an important role in the spread of JEV as the major amplifying host [10]
The distribution prediction maps for Cx. tritaeniorhynchus are shown in Figures 2 and 3. We found that both models predicted similar geographical areas as having a medium to high probability for the presence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus
Summary
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonosis caused by infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). JE usually manifests as mild central nervous symptoms, primarily in children and adolescents [2,3]. A small number of cases cause serious viral encephalitis and the disease has a mortality rate of approximately. Permanent neuropsychiatric sequelae may occur in up to 50% of JE survivors with encephalitis symptoms [6]. JE is prevalent in most parts of Asia and the Western Pacific, and has been estimated to result in approximately 67,900 cases annually [7]. JEV causes reproductive losses and encephalitis in animals, such as swine, equine and cattle [8,9]. Swine play an important role in the spread of JEV as the major amplifying host [10]
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