Accelerating targeted mosquito control efforts through mobile West Nile virus detection

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Public Health

Background:

• Mosquito-borne diseases pose significant public health risks, necessitating effective control strategies.
• Current mosquito control relies on integrated approaches, highlighting the need for rapid diagnostics.
• Developing mobile diagnostic tools is crucial for timely intervention against mosquito-borne pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a rapid diagnostic system for West Nile virus detection in mosquitoes under field conditions.
• To assess the system's applicability in supporting real-time mosquito surveillance and control efforts.

Main Methods:

• Adult mosquito traps were deployed as part of routine monitoring.
• Portable quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for field-based West Nile virus RNA detection within 3-4 hours.
• Positive samples underwent confirmatory RT-PCR or next-generation sequencing (NGS) for viral genome characterization.

Main Results:

• A total of 356 mosquito individuals across 7 species were analyzed in 54 pools.
• Two pools, containing Culex pipiens and Anopheles atroparvus, tested positive for West Nile virus.
• Complete genomes of West Nile virus and Bagaza virus were obtained through sequencing.

Conclusions:

• Rapid identification of infected mosquitoes is vital for effective, rapid-response vector control, preventing human infections.
• The developed framework offers a real-time surveillance system adaptable for other pathogens and scenarios.
• This study demonstrates an early warning system to enhance rapid-response mosquito control actions.