loading page

Ecological Drivers of Mosquito-Borne Disease Risk in Human-Impacted Wetlands
  • +5
  • Júlia Rodríguez-Grabalosa,
  • Simone Mariani,
  • Catuxa Cerecedo-Iglesias,
  • Alex Richter-Boix,
  • Àlex Ollé Torner,
  • Magda Pla,
  • Lluís Brotons,
  • Frederic Bartumeus
Júlia Rodríguez-Grabalosa
CSIC

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Simone Mariani
CSIC
Author Profile
Catuxa Cerecedo-Iglesias
CSIC
Author Profile
Alex Richter-Boix
CSIC
Author Profile
Àlex Ollé Torner
Servei de Control de Mosquits Badia de Roses i Baix Ter
Author Profile
Magda Pla
Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya
Author Profile
Lluís Brotons
CTFC
Author Profile
Frederic Bartumeus
CSIC
Author Profile

Abstract

The rising incidence of mosquito-borne diseases poses a public health challenge worldwide. However, local-scale interactions among vectors, hosts, and the environment remain poorly understood. We leveraged historical, multi-source data to assess mosquito-borne disease transmission risk in Mediterranean humanized wetlands, examining mosquito vectors, avian hosts for West Nile virus (WNV), and human hosts for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Mosquito activity peaked between June and October. Aedes albopictus was predominant in urban areas, while Culex species were more prevalent in rural and natural environments. The spatial patterns of avian host communities influenced the potential amplification and dilution of the WNV enzootic cycle. High-risk areas for WNV circulation were identified near urban edges, particularly adjacent to rice fields and wetlands where mosquitoes and reservoir hosts overlapped. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted mosquito surveillance and mitigation strategies in urban centers and surrounding rural landscapes to effectively reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.