Monitoring of the Mosquito Vector of Dangerous Arboviruses Using the ZikaMap Web Portal

Abstract

Background: The active spread of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, epidemiologically important vectors for the transmission of dangerous arboviruses, on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region necessitates prompt analysis of the results of their monitoring using modern geographic information systems. Objective: To analyze the results of practical application of the ZikaMap web portal for tracing migration of tiger mosquitoes along the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region in 2016–2022. Materials and methods: We used Aedes albopictus migration monitoring data for 2016–2022 from the ZikaMap web portal. Mosquito counts were taken in Novorossiysk, Anapa and Tuapse districts, and Sochi with the total of 476 objects and 2,366 stationary points examined. Results and discussion: Tiger mosquitoes were found on the territory of epidemically significant objects four times (in the years 2018–2019 and in 2021) and once (in 2017) at a distance of 500 m from them (within the flight range of the Aedes mosquito). Immediately after that, emergency local disinfestation treatment was carried out. The highest abundance of Ae. albopictus (both in absolute numbers and catch per trap per hour) during the entire study period was registered in the Central District of Sochi, with a decrease observed since 2020. Results of the annual comparative cartographic analysis for 2016–2022 indicate the expansion of the boundaries of the Ae. albopictus habitat on the territory of the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region 122 km northwards and 83 km westwards. Conclusion: It is expedient to continue developing real-time geographic information technologies in order to optimize approaches to monitoring and assessment of the current epidemic potential of natural foci of vector-borne and zoonotic infections and to improve the efficiency of response to potential worsening of the epidemic situation.