First observation of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tshuapa province (Boende), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

In May–June 2021, we collected Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) adults near the central hospital in Boende, the capital of Tshuapa province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We identified the mosquitoes using morphological and DNA-based techniques. This is the first report of this species in the DRC outside of Kinshasa and Kongo Central. Given the central location of Boende in the Congo Basin, our finding indicates that the vector might also have spread to other cities which are located on the Congo River and its major tributaries. We highlight the need to investigate the distribution of Ae. albopictus and to update disease risk maps for Central Africa, as it is an important vector for human arbovirus transmission.