FIRST REPORT OF AEDES VITTATUS IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Aedes vittatus is distributed throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe and can transmit dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Like other Aedes species, larvae develop in both natural and artificial containers in urban, suburban, and rural areas. In September 2021, an entomological survey was conducted at the National Institute of Health of Pakistan (NIH) and adjacent housing within the NIH colony. All containers with water were examined for Aedes mosquitoes at 150 locations, including residential properties, a plant nursery, junkyards, and recreational parks and playgrounds. A total of 103 larvae, 37 pupae, 5 female and 2 male Ae. vittatus were collected from a fountain. This was the first detection of Ae. vittatus in urban Islamabad. Additional vector surveillance is needed to better understand the geographical distribution, ecology, and behavior of this invasive species and to understand its possible role in the transmission of dengue and chikungunya viruses in Pakistan.