Entomological risk assessment for transmission of arboviral diseases by Aedes mosquitoes in a domestic and forest site in Accra, Ghana
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Date
2023
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PLOS ONE
Abstract
Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are Aedes-borne viral diseases that have become great
global health concerns in the past years. Several countries in Africa have reported out breaks of these diseases and despite Ghana sharing borders with some of these coun tries, such outbreaks are yet to be detected. Viral RNA and antibodies against dengue
serotype-2 have recently been reported among individuals in some localities in the
regional capital of Ghana. This is an indication of a possible silent transmission ongoing
in the population. This study, therefore, investigated the entomological transmission risk
of dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses in a forest and domestic population in the
Greater Accra Region, Ghana. All stages of the Aedes mosquito (egg, larvae, pupae and
adults) were collected around homes and in the forest area for estimation of risk indices.
All eggs were hatched and reared to larvae or adults for morphological identification
together with larvae and adults collected from the field. The forest population had higher
species richness with 7 Aedes species. The predominant species of Aedes mosquitoes
identified from both sites was Aedes aegypti (98%). Aedes albopictus, an important arbo virus vector, was identified only in the peri-domestic population at a prevalence of 1.5%,
significantly higher than previously reported. All risk indices were above the WHO thresh old except the House Index for the domestic site which was moderate (19.8). The forest
population recorded higher Positive Ovitrap (34.2% vs 26.6%) and Container (67.9% vs
36.8%) Indices than the peri-domestic population. Although none of the mosquito pools
showed the presence of dengue, chikungunya or Zika viruses, all entomological risk indi cators showed that both sites had a high potential arboviral disease transmission risk
should any of these viruses be introduced. Continuous surveillance is recommended in these and other sites in the Metropolis to properly map transmission risk areas to inform
outbreak preparedness strategies.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Dengue, arboviral diseases, Aedes mosquitoes, Ghana
Citation
Citation: Akyea-Bobi NE, Akorli J, Opoku M, Akporh SS, Amlalo GK, Osei JHN, et al. (2023) Entomological risk assessment for transmission of arboviral diseases by Aedes mosquitoes in a domestic and forest site in Accra, Ghana. PLoS ONE 18(12): e0295390. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0295390