Entomovirological Surveillance in Schools: Are They a Source for Arboviral Diseases Transmission?

Abstract

Surveillance and control activities for virus-transmitting mosquitoes have primarily focused on dwellings. There is little information about viral circulation in heavily trafficked places such as schools. We collected and analyzed data to assess the presence and prevalence of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses in mosquitoes, and measured <i>Aedes</i> indices in schools in Medellín (Colombia) between 2016-2018. In 43.27% of 2632 visits we collected <i>Aedes</i> adults, creating 883 pools analyzed by RT-PCR. 14.27% of pools yielded positive for dengue or Zika (infection rates of 1.75-296.29 for <i>Aedes aegypti</i>). <i>Ae. aegypti</i> was more abundant and had a higher infection rate for all studied diseases. <i>Aedes</i> indices varied over time. There was no association between <i>Aedes</i> abundance and mosquito infection rates, but the latter did correlate with cases of arboviral disease and climate. Results suggest schools are important sources of arbovirus and health agencies should include these sites in surveillance programs; it is essential to know the source for arboviral diseases transmission and the identification of the most population groups exposed to these diseases to research and developing new strategies.