Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Dengue outbreaks and epidemics have occurred intermittently in Cuba from 2001 until today. And
recently, imported chikungunya cases and imported and autochthonous cases of Zika have been
diagnosed. The National Campaign against Aedes aegypti was initiated following the 1981 dengue
epidemic. The National Campaign employs regular surveillance and destruction of breeding sites (i.e.,
source reduction), intensive use of larvicides and adulticides, and educational campaigns to prevent the
formation of new breeding sites. Although the campaign has achieved the elimination of vectors in many
areas of the island, Ae aegypti populations continue to thrive in some urban environments. The remaining
populations of Ae. aegypti, together with environmental and social risks, represent an open potential for
dengue, chikungunya and zika outbreaks, principally in Havana city. These Ae. aegypti populations are
considered the most difficult to eliminate. Notably, the rates of infestation increase in the rainy season,
generating, along with other factors, a high risk of transmission of dengue, zika and chikungunya. Our
previous work demonstrating insecticidal resistance to some of the insecticides used in Cuba raises
concern about the sustainability of current methods (Rodríguez et al., 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, Bisset et
al., 2004, 2006a, 2006b, 2011, 2013, Saavedra et al., 2007). The remnant populations that survive the
effect of chemical control have been shown to carry insecticide resistance genes, which they pass to new
generations of mosquitoes, affecting the subsequent success of control strategies. Hence the need to
combine several methods and control alternatives to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of
actions. In the proposed work, we plan to investigate Wolbachia as an additional tool to contribute to the
sustainable control and to the elimination of the remaining populations of Ae. aegypti.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 8/1/19 → 12/31/21 |
Funding
- Civilian Research and Development Foundation: $20,055.00
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