Panorama epidemiológico de arbovirus y sus vectores en San Luis Potosí 2021-2022

Abstract

Medically relevant arboviruses can be transmitted by Anophelinae (Anopheles genus) or Culicinae (Aedes and Culex genera) mosquitos. Ecological and socio-demographic factors such as urbanization, poverty, access to health systems and social inequality determine vector density and risk of disease transmission. Effective surveillance of vectors and arboviruses in “at risk” areas are crucial for guiding public health strategies. We developed a low-cost molecular approach to assess mosquito and arbovirus prevalence in the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico in 2021. Our results provide evidence of the centripetal expansion of mosquito populations originating in city outskirts post-rainy season. Culex was the most abundant genus (63.3%) followed by Aedes (26.6%) and Anopheles (4.7%). DENV was detected in mosquitoes seven weeks before the first local human report, highlighting the epidemiological utility of this strategy. Four different arboviruses were identified in FTA cards: DENV (6.5%), ZIKV (5.6%), CHIKV (1.6%) and WNV (3.2%).