Surveillance Studies Reveal Diverse and Potentially Pathogenic-Incriminated Vector Mosquito Species across Major Botswana Touristic Hotspots.

Mmabaledi Buxton,Philippe Christe,Romain Pigeault,Casper Nyamukondiwa,Olivier Glaizot,Victor Othenin-Girard,Ryan J Wasserman

doi:10.3390/insects12100913

Abstract

Simple SummaryMosquitoes vector pathogens that cause burdening diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife worldwide. Spatially and temporally, mosquito diversity varies considerably in response to bio-physical environments. As such, there is a need for mosquito diversity and distribution studies, as well as monitoring programmes, to inform on the risk of associated diseases. This survey assessed mosquito species in three major touristic areas of Botswana that are likely to harbour pathogens across prevailing hosts. The results revealed that all regions surveyed had important mosquito groups (Anopheles, Aedes and Culex) that are threats to public, wildlife and livestock health globally, including the arid Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The findings represent useful species inventories for future surveys and monitoring programmes.Vector mosquitoes contribute significantly to the global burden of diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife. As such, the spatial distribution and abundance of mosquito species and their surveillance cannot be ignored. Here, we surveyed mosquito species across major tourism hotspots in semi-arid Botswana, including, for the first time, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Our results reported several mosquito species across seven genera, belonging to Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, Mimomyia, Coquillettidia and Uranotaenia. These results document a significant species inventory that may inform early warning vector-borne disease control systems and likely help manage the risk of emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne infections.

Highlights

Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and Mansonia have been implicated as the main vector mosquito groups of medical and veterinary importance [5]
Owing to the socio-economic burdens brought about by vector mosquitoes, adequate and updated knowledge on their species diversity, spatio-temporal distribution and abundance are key in monitoring and evaluating prevalence and the risk of their associated diseases
The wet and dry seasons follow the same pattern as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), the Okavango Delta is rich in fauna and flora; both regions remain unique in attracting tourists from diverse local and international destinations [40]

Summary

Introduction

Mosquitoes are by far the most important vector species contributing to global human and animal health burdens [3,4]. We assessed the diversity of mosquito vector species in major tourism hotspot regions of Botswana, including the Okavango Delta, the Chobe enclave and, for the first time, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). Whilst previous works on mosquito diversity and vector competence have been conducted in parts of the Okavango and Chobe areas and other parts of the country [26,30,31] (see Table 1), there is still much exploration required given the potential anthropogenic and climate change likely to impact vector distribution and abundance [32].

Materials and Methods

Sample Identification and Analyses

Results

Discussions