ABSTRACT Background: Haiti is one of the Caribbean countries where malaria persists. More than 99% of malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the main vector being the mosquito Anopheles albimanus. In this paper, we describe the epidemiological profile of malaria in Haiti between 2009 and 2018. Methods We analyzed information on cases reported by the Ministry of Health of Haiti and the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Between 2009 and 2018, 232,479 malaria cases were reported by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP); an increase in the incidence of malaria in the country in 2010, followed by a decrease in 2011, was primarily observed. Due to recent efforts to reduce malaria by 2020, its incidence declined from 60,130 cases in 2010 to 8,978 cases in 2018. Controversially, in terms of the number of reported cases, the MSPP and WHO report conflicting data. However, the results from both datasets present the same trend in Haiti from 2009 to 2018. The results also illustrate the endemicity of the disease throughout Haiti, both in rural and urban areas, especially along the coast. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need to promote official data collection and analyses, as well as the application of epidemiological surveillance of malaria at the municipal level, for a better understanding of the real impact of malaria on the Haitian population and to create more appropriate interventions.

Abstract Aedes aegypti is currently the mosquito with major impact on public health in Brazil and a proven vector of several emerging arboviruses. By consequence, its name is frequently being spoken by lay people of the media and general public, as well as by researchers in this country both in general media and academic events. However, the generic name Aedes, contrary to its etymological origin and worldwide correct pronunciation (“A-e-des”), has been frequently mispronounced as “Edes” on many occasions by media spokespersons and by researchers and lay people in Brazil. However, based on historical and linguistic evidence, it is confirmed here that the correct historical pronunciation (A-e-des) must be maintained and observed in Brazil as it is enunciated all over the World.

BACKGROUND Southeast Brazil has recently experienced a Yellow Fever virus (YFV) outbreak where the mosquito Haemagogus leucocelaenus was a primary vector. Climatic factors influence the abundance of mosquito vectors and arbovirus transmission. OBJECTIVES We aimed at describing the population dynamics of Hg. leucocelaenus in a county touched by the recent YFV outbreak. METHODS Fortnightly egg collections with ovitraps were performed from November 2012 to February 2017 in a forest in Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The effects of mean temperature and rainfall on the Hg. leucocelaenus population dynamics were explored. FINDINGS Hg. leucocelaenus eggs were continuously collected throughout the study, with a peak in the warmer months (December-March). The climatic variables had a time-lagged effect and four weeks before sampling was the best predictor for the positivity of ovitraps and total number of eggs collected. The probability of finding > 50% positive ovitraps increased when the mean temperature was above 24ºC. The number of Hg. leucocelaenus eggs expressively increase when the mean temperature and accumulated precipitation surpassed 27ºC and 100 mm, respectively, although the effect of rainfall was less pronounced. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Monitoring population dynamics of Hg. leucocelaenus and climatic factors in YFV risk areas, especially mean temperature, may assist in developing climate-based surveillance procedures to timely strengthening prophylaxis and control.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Haemagogus capricornii and Hg. janthinomys females are considered morphologically indistinguishable. We analyzed morphometric variability between Brazilian populations of these species using wing geometric morphometry. METHODS: Size and shape at intra- and interspecific levels were analyzed in 108 Hg. capricornii and Hg. janthinomys females. RESULTS: Geometric morphometry indicated size and shape variables can differentiate these species at interspecific level. However, at intraspecific level, results show relative differentiation. Two populations of Hg. capricornii had a smaller centroid size with no significant differences between them, whereas all Hg. janthinomys populations showed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Both species were correctly identified by geometric morphometry.

ABSTRACT Haemagogus leucocelaenus, which is considered a major vector of wild yellow fever, exhibits acrodendrophilic habits and mainly deposits its eggs in treeholes and bamboo internodes. The selection of nursery sites is essential in the life history and reproductive success of mosquitoes. The present work investigated the preferred oviposition height and period of Hg. leucocelaenus in an Atlantic forest area in Rio de Janeiro. Sampling was performed using oviposition traps that were placed on plant material at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 m above the ground, from August 2015 to July 2016. Eggs were more abundant during October and May, and the height of traps placement had no significant effect on the eggs number indicating that Hg. leucocelaenus explores different levels of forest habitats, a behavior that may favor the transmission of pathogens among arboreal animals including primates and humans. The findings of the present study are discussed from an ecological and epidemiological point of view.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Environmental modifications caused by human activities have led to changes in mosquito vector populations, and sylvatic species have adapted to breeding in urban areas. METHODS: Mosquitoes were collected using ovitraps in three sampling sites in the Atlantic Forest in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: We collected 2,162 Culicidae specimens. Haemagogus janthinomys and Haemagogus leucocelaenus, both sylvatic yellow fever virus vectors, were the most common species found. CONCLUSION: There is a potential for the transmission of arboviruses in and around these natural reserves. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain entomological surveillance programs in the region.

The effect of multiple immersions on Haemagogus janthinomys , Haemagogus leucocelaenus , Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus terrens eggs was studied. Eggs were collected in April, June, October and December of 2011 in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Most of the Aedes and Ochlerotatus eggs hatched upon the first immersion, while Haemagogus eggs showed a varied instalment hatching response. The number of immersions required for hatching increased for eggs collected closer to the dry winter season.

Introduction To determine the faunal composition of immature culicids inhabiting a percolation tank in the landfill of Sapucaia, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, immature mosquitoes were collected over a two-day period during the third weeks of April, August and October 2011. Results The species found were Culex usquatus, Lutzia bigoti, Anopheles argyritarsis and Limatus durhamii. This study is the first to report the colonization of eutrophic breeding sites by these species. Conclusions The oviposition behavior observed in this study suggests a secondary adaptation or change in habit to select eutrophic environments during the developmental stages of the observed species.

In an effort to detect West Nile virus (WNV) in Brazil, we sampled serum from horses and chickens from the Pantanal region of the state of Mato Grosso and tested for flavivirus-reactive antibodies by blocking ELISA. The positive samples were further confirmed for serological evidence of WNV infection in three (8%) of the 38 horses and one (3.2%) of the 31 chickens using an 80% plaque-reduction neutralisation test (PRNT80). These results provide evidence of the circulation of WNV in chickens and horses in Pantanal.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la variabilidad morfológica en cuatro poblaciones de Chagasia fajardi utilizando morfometría clásica. Se midieron siete variables del cuerpo de los especímenes de cuatro regiones biogeográficas brasileñas, incluyendo tres poblaciones provenientes de los biomas “Mata” Atlántica y una población del Cerrado. Usando el análisis de varianza (ANOVA), el carácter diagnóstico banda negra del tarsómero posterior tres (TA-III3) mostró un gran potencial para determinar las diferencias entre poblaciones, las cuales fueron todas distintas unas de las otras. Esto se siguió por la banda blanca del tarso cinco posterior (Ta-III5) y la longitud del ala (WI), que mostraron la presencia de dos poblaciones similares entre sí pero diferentes de las otras poblaciones, siendo estas últimas también diferentes entre sí. Sin embargo, el análisis multivariado y dendrograma UPGMA mostraron la gran proximidad entre las poblaciones 2 y 4, y entre las poblaciones 1 y 3. Se discuten las variables morfológicas de poblaciones pertenecientes a Ch. fajardi de diferentes regiones brasileñas.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate morphological variability in four populations of Chagasia fajardi using classic morphometry. Seven variables of the body were measured in specimens of Ch. fajardi from four biogeographical regions of Brazil, including three populations from the Atlantic Forest biome and one population from the Cerrado biome, were measured. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the diagnostic characteristic of the black band on the hindtarsus (Ta-III3) presented strong potential for demonstrating dissimilarity between populations, which were all different from each other. This was followed by the white band on the hindtarsus (Ta-III5) and the wing length (Wl), which showed the presence of two populations similar between themselves, but different from the others. However, multivariate analysis and UPGMA dendograms showed close proximity between populations 2 and 4 and between populations 1 and 3. Morphological variables of Ch. fajardi populations from different regions of Brazil are discussed.

INTRODUÇÃO: Relata-se o encontro de formas imaturas de Coquillettidia venezuelensis em criadouros temporários, sem presença de plantas aquáticas ou outros tecidos vegetais submersos. MÉTODOS: Realizaram-se coletas com a técnica de conchadas sistemáticas na margem do criadouro. RESULTADOS: Foram coletados imaturos de Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Anopheles rangeli, An. evansae e Culex sp., em áreas da Usina Hidrelétrica de São Salvador, Estado de Goiás. CONCLUSÕES: Trata-se de observação inédita sobre a bioecologia de Cq. venezuelensis, espécie de interesse médico, que tem sido encontrada naturalmente infectada com arbovírus, inclusive Oropouche e West Nile.

INTRODUCTION: Findings of immature forms of Coquillettidia venezuelensis in temporary breeding sites, without the presence of aquatic plants or other submerged plant tissue are reported. METHODS: A systematic scooping technique to collect specimens was used at the breeding site. RESULTS: Immature forms of Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Anopheles rangeli, An. evansae and Culex sp. were collected from areas of the hydroelectric power station of São Salvador, State of Goiás. CONCLUSIONS This is a novel finding relating to the bioecology of Cq. venezuelensis, a species of medical interest that has been found naturally infected with arboviruses, including Oropouche and West Nile virus.

The influence of climatic factors on the seasonal frequency of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) at the Peixe Angical hydroelectric scheme (Tocantins, Brazil) was evaluated in the present paper. Mosquito surveys were conducted in the municipality of Peixe and in areas surrounding the reservoir in the municipalities of Paranã and São Salvador do Tocantins during two daytime periods (10 am-12 noon and 2 pm-4 pm) and two night-time periods (6 pm-8 pm and 6 pm-10 am) over 14 months. In total, 10,840 specimens from 42 species were captured, 84.5% of which belonged to the Culcinae. The most common species were Anopheles darlingi, Psorophora albipes and Sabethes chloropterus. The number of Culicidae specimens was higher in months with higher rainfall and air humidity than during the drier months. The large population of Ps. albipes and the presence of both An. darlingi (primary vector for human malaria parasites) and Haemagogus janthinomys (primary vector for yellow fever virus) are highlighted.

Regiões como o Pantanal brasileiro, que apresentam fatores como riqueza de fauna silvestre incluindo circulação de aves migratórias e condições ambientais e climáticas favoráveis à proliferação de artrópodes estão potencialmente sujeitas à circulação de arbovírus. Entretanto, poucos trabalhos foram realizados acerca da presença de arbovírus em potenciais vetores no Pantanal. Neste sentido o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi conduzir uma investigação preliminar para presença de arbovírus em amostragens de culicídeos capturados na Sub-região da Nhecolândia no Pantanal Sul. Um total de 3684 mosquitos foi capturado, dos quais 78 grupos compondo uma amostragem de 1789 espécimes foram submetidos às técnicas de isolamento viral e RT-PCR para os mais importantes arbovírus no Brasil. Simultaneamente, 70 espécimes de carrapatos capturados durante hematofagia em cavalos também foram submetidos à pesquisa viral. Não houve isolamento viral em nenhuma amostra analisada e os resultados de detecção de ácido nucléico viral foram também negativos. Entretanto, foram identificadas 22 espécies de culicídeos, dez das quais previamente reportadas como vetores de importantes arbovírus. A competência vetorial de espécies capturadas durante hematofagia em humanos e cavalos aliada ao relato prévio de circulação de arbovírus sugerem a Sub-região da Nhecolândia como uma importante área de vigilância para arbovírus no Centro-Oeste do Brasil.

In view of the high circulation of migratory birds and the environmental and climatic conditions which favor the proliferation of arthropods, the Brazilian Pantanal is susceptible to circulation of arboviruses. However, the amount of data concerning arbovirus vectors in this area is scarce; therefore the aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of Culicidae species in the Nhecolândia Sub-region of South Pantanal, Brazil and their potential importance in the arbovirus transmission. A total of 3684 specimens of mosquitoes were captured, 1689 of which caught in the rainy season of 2007, were divided into 78 pools and submitted to viral isolation, Semi-Nested RT-PCR and Nested RT-PCR, with a view to identifying the most important arboviruses in Brazil. Simultaneously, 70 specimens of ticks found blood-feeding on horses were also submitted to the same virological assays. No virus was isolated and viral nucleic-acid detection by RT-PCR was also negative. Nevertheless, a total of 22 Culicidae species were identified, ten of which had previously been reported as vectors of important arboviruses. The diversity of species found blood-feeding on human and horse hosts together with the arboviruses circulation previously reported suggest that the Nhecolândia Sub-region of South Pantanal is an important area for arbovirus surveillance in Brazil.

Objetivando-se avaliar a eficiência de armadilhas no monitoramento de vetores de dengue e febre amarela no Rio de Janeiro, foram utilizadas simultaneamente, 12 larvitrampas e 12 ovitrampas ao longo de 13 semanas. Resultados mostraram que as larvitrampas apresentam maior capacidade de positivar, destacando-se como importante ferramenta no monitoramento de vigilância vetorial.

With the objective of evaluating the efficiency of traps for monitoring dengue and yellow fever vectors in Rio de Janeiro, 12 larvitraps and 12 ovitraps were used simultaneously for 13 weeks. The results indicated that the larvitraps presented greater capacity for positive findings, thereby highlighting it as an important monitoring tool for vector surveillance.

Cita-se o encontro de formas imaturas de culicídeos em caixas d’água colocadas no nível do solo. Foram encontradas larvas de Anopheles argyritarsis e Aedes albopictus no município de Várzea Grande (MT). Considera-se que estes recipientes artificiais possam constituir locais adicionais utilizáveis como criadouros de anofelinos.

The finding of immature forms of culicid mosquitoes in water tanks at ground level is reported. Anopheles argyritarsis and Aedes albopictus were found in the municipality of Várzea Grande (MT). It is considered that these artificial containers may constitute additional locations that anophelines can use as breeding sites.