Mosquito Distribution along a Transect from Rural to Urban Settings in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION

The surveillance of mosquito vectors is important for the control of arboviruses diseases worldwide. Detailed information on the bionomics and distribution of their main vectors, and is essential for assessing disease transmission risk and for better planning of control interventions.

METHODS

Entomological surveys were carried out from November 2019 to November 2020 in six localities of Yaoundé city following a transect from urban to rural settings: two urban (Obili, Mvan), two peri-urban (Simbock, Ahala) and two rural areas (Lendom, Elig-essomballa)-during rainy and dry seasons. All water containers were inspected. mosquito abundance, species distribution and seasonal distribution patterns were compared using generalized linear models. Stegomyia indexes were estimated to determine the risk of arbovirus transmission.

RESULTS

A total of 6332 mosquitoes larvae were collected (2342 in urban areas, 1694 in peri-urban areas and 2296 in rural sites). species recorded included , , spp. High mosquito abundance was registered in the rainy season (4706) compared to the dry season (1626) ( < 0.0001). was the most abundant species in urban (96.89%) and peri-urban (95.09%) sites whereas was more prevalent in rural sites (68.56%) ( < 0.0001). Both species were found together in 71 larval habitats. was mostly found in discarded tires (42.51%), whereas was more prevalent in plastic containers used for storing water (65.87%). The majority of mosquitoes' breeding places were situated close to human dwellings (0-10 m).

CONCLUSION

Uncontrolled urbanization seems to greatly favour the presence of mosquito species around human dwellings in Yaoundé. Controlling mosquito distribution is becoming urgent to reduce the risk of arbovirus outbreaks in the city of Yaoundé.