Evaluation of Effectiveness of Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps for Preventing Zika Virus Infection, Puerto Rico, USA

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes drive arboviral outbreaks in tropical regions. Zika virus (ZIKV), linked to congenital and neurologic complications, caused a major outbreak in Puerto Rico, USA, in 2016, infecting ≈26% of the population. Autocidal gravid ovitraps (AGOs), pesticide-free devices targeting gravid Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, have been shown to reduce transmission of another arbovirus, chikungunya. During March-May 2017, we conducted a household-based serosurvey in 4 demographically similar communities in southeastern Puerto Rico, 2 with long-term AGO deployment (≈85% coverage) and 2 without, to assess effects of AGOs on ZIKV transmission. Among 271 participants >5 years of age, ZIKV seroprevalence was much lower in intervention than nonintervention communities (9.6% vs. 20.0%). Protective effects were strongest among older adults, larger households (>4 persons), and persons spending more time at home. Although study design and measurement limitations could limit generalizability of results, our findings support AGOs as sustainable nonchemical tools for reducing ZIKV infections.