Aedes vittatus in Haiti: continued expansion across the Caribbean and implications for the Americas
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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 done across 12 localities around Cap-Haïtien, in the North-East department of Haiti, the specimens were identified morphologically and confirmed by COI DNA barcoding.
Findings
We report, for the first time, the detection of the invasive vector Aedes (Fredwardsius) vittatus in Haiti, confirmed morphologically and molecularly, and being established in half of the municipalities sampled. Phylogenetic analyses group Haitian specimens with Caribbean and American populations, closely related to Mexico, indicating regional expansion.
Main conclusion
Given its role as a vector of chikungunya, dengue, Zika and yellow fever, strengthened entomological surveillance and early detection in North America and the Caribbean are urgently needed.
