Assessing and managing the risk of < i > Aedes < /i > mosquito introductions via the global maritime trade network

by Janna R. Willoughby, Benjamin A. McKenzie, Jordan Ahn, Todd D. Steury, Christopher A. Lepzcyk, Sarah Zohdy The global shipping network (GSN) has been suggested as a pathway for the establishment and reintroduction ofAedes aegypti andAedes albopictus primarily via the tire trade. We used historical maritime movement data in combination with an agent-based model to understand invasion risk in the United States Gulf Coast and how the risk of these invasions could be reduced. We found a strong correlation between the total number of cargo ship arrivals at each port and likelihood of arrival by bothAe.aegypti andAe.albopictus. Additionally, in 2012, 99.2% of the arrivals into target ports had most recently visited ports likely occupied by bothAe.aegypti andAe.albopictus, increasing risk ofAedes invasion. Our model results indicated that detection and removal of mosquitoes from containers when they are unloaded effectively reduced the probability of mosquito populations establishment even when the connectivity of ports increased. To reduce the risk of invasion and reintroduction ofAe.aegypti andAe.albopictus, surveillance and control efforts should be employed when containers leave high risk locations and when they arrive in ports at high risk of establishment.
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research