Aedes vittatus in Haiti: continued expansion across the Caribbean and implications for the Americas.

BACKGROUND

Aedes vittatus, an emerging invasive species and arboviral vector with high ecological plasticity and dispersal capacity, is expanding in the Caribbean, being detected in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica and recently in Yucatán, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to provide evidence of the establishment of Ae. vittatus in Haiti.

METHODS

Larval surveys were conducted in 18 localities within 12 municipalities in the North and Northeast departments of Haiti. Specimens were identified morphologically and confirmed by COI-based DNA barcoding.

FINDINGS: We report, for the first time, the detection of the invasive vector Ae. (Fredwardsius) vittatus in Haiti, confirmed morphologically and molecularly, with the species detected in half of the municipalities sampled. Phylogenetic analyses placed Haitian specimens within a Caribbean/American group, closely related to sequences from Mexico. Additional mosquito species were identified, including first records of Culex garciai and Culex interrogator in Haiti.

MAIN

CONCLUSIONS

Given its potential role as a vector of chikungunya, dengue, Zika and yellow fever, continued entomological surveillance and early detection in the Caribbean and the Americas are needed.