Argentina is located at the southern temperate range of arboviral transmission by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and has experienced a rapid increase in disease transmission in recent years. Here we present findings from an entomological surveillance study that began in Córdoba, Argentina, following the emergence of dengue in 2009. From 2009 to 2017, larval surveys were conducted monthly, from November to May, in 600 randomly selected households distributed across the city. From 2009 to 2013, ovitraps (n = 177) were sampled weekly to monitor the oviposition activity of Ae. aegypti. We explored seasonal and interannual dynamics of entomological variables and dengue transmission. Cross correlation analysis was used to identify significant lag periods. Aedes aegypti were detected over the entire study period, and abundance peaked during the summer months (January to March). We identified a considerable increase in the proportion of homes with juvenile Ae. aegypti over the study period (from 5.7% of homes in 2009–10 to 15.4% of homes in 2016–17). Aedes aegypti eggs per ovitrap and larval abundance were positively associated with temperature in the same month. Autochthonous dengue transmission peaked in April, following a peak in imported dengue cases in March; autochthonous dengue was not positively associated with vector or climate variables. This longitudinal study provides insights into the complex dynamics of arbovirus transmission and vector populations in a temperate region of arbovirus emergence. Our findings suggest that Córdoba is well suited for arbovirus disease transmission, given the stable and abundant vector populations. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of regional human movement.

Traditional mosquito vector control methods have proved ineffective in controlling the spread of dengue fever. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of community engagement through student-led science in promoting dengue prevention and socioecological factors in the temperate urban city of Córdoba, Argentina. It assesses community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding dengue fever and its vector. Results showed a significant increase in knowledge about the vector and the disease and respondents’ adoption of good preventive practices. Student-led science was identified as a valuable tool for reaching households and leading to behavior changes at home. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the need for school programs to address vector biology and vector-borne disease prevention all year round. This study provides invaluable insights into the effectiveness of community engagement through student-led science to promote dengue prevention and socioecological factors. The findings suggest that this approach could be used to control the spread in other regions affected by the disease.

Background: Argentina is located at the southern temperate range of arboviral transmission by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and has experienced a rapid increase in disease transmission in recent years. Here we present findings from an entomological surveillance study that began in Córdoba, Argentina, following the emergence of dengue in 2009. Methods: From 2009 to 2017, larval surveys were conducted monthly, from November to May, in 600 randomly selected households distributed across the city. From 2009 to 2013, ovitraps (n=177) were sampled weekly to monitor the oviposition activity of Ae. aegypti . We explored seasonal and interannual dynamics of entomological variables and dengue transmission. Cross correlation analysis was used to identify significant lag periods. Results: Aedes aegypti were detected over the entire study period, and abundance peaked during the summer months (January to March). We identified a considerable increase in the proportion of homes with juvenile Ae. aegypti over the study period (from 5.7% of homes in 2009-10 to 15.4% of homes in 2016-17). Aedes aegypti eggs per ovitrap and larval abundance were positively associated with temperature in the same month. Autochthonous dengue transmission peaked in April, following a peak in imported dengue cases in March; autochthonous dengue was not positively associated with vector or climate variables. Conclusions: This longitudinal study provides insights into the complex dynamics of arbovirus transmission and vector populations in a temperate region of arbovirus emergence. Our findings suggest that Córdoba is well suited for arbovirus disease transmission, given the stable and abundant vector populations. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of regional human movement. Author summary: There is an increasing risk of arbovirus transmission in temperate regions. Argentina is located at the southern range of dengue virus transmission by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In the last decade, epidemics of dengue fever have emerged for the first time in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. We present the study design and findings from an entomological surveillance study in Córdoba, which began following the emergence of dengue in 2009. We found that Ae. aegypti were most abundant from January to March, followed by a peak in local dengue transmission in April. Over the study period, we noted a considerable increase in the proportion of homes with Ae. aegypti . Vector indices were positively associated with warmer temperatures, which have been increasing in this region. However, the timing of local dengue transmission appears to be driven by the appearance of imported dengue cases associated with human movement. These results highlight the important role of long term surveillance studies in areas of disease emergence.

The distribution of arbovirus disease transmission is expanding from the tropics and subtropics into temperate regions worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize the emergence of arboviruses in the temperate city of Córdoba, Argentina (2009-2018), including dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and origins of imported cases. The first cases of dengue fever were reported in 2009, followed by outbreaks in 2013, 2015, and 2016, each outbreak having greater incidence than the previous. DENV1 was the predominant serotype. Cases were imported from Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and northern Argentina. The first imported cases of chikungunya were reported in 2014 and the first imported and autochthonous of Zika fever in 2016. Regional efforts are needed to strengthen surveillance, due to the key role of human movement in arbovirus introductions.

Background: During 2019-2020 while COVID-19 pandemic, the Americas were facing the biggest dengue fever epidemic in recent history. Traditional vector control programs, based on insecticide application have been insufficient to control the spread of dengue fever. Several studies suggest refocusing on education with the aim of an integrated vector management strategy within the local ecological-community context. We aim to assess community perceptions, knowledge, attitude, preventive practice, and action through student-led science assignments regarding dengue fever, prevention, and socio-ecological factors in temperate Córdoba, Argentina. Methods: The study was conducted during the COVID-19 quarantine when schools switched to online education for the first time. Several activities through Google Classroom platform included a survey to one student’s family member, and an outdoor activity to assess their attitudes and to clean the backyard and gardens. Results: Significant number of respondents developed good preventive practices and increased their knowledge about the vector and disease highlighting that 75% of responders knew that dengue fever was transmitted by a mosquito, 81.96% declared having obtained knowledge regarding dengue and vector through television, 56% affirm that dengue is a severe illness, 67% of respondents admitted that individuals play an important role in the prevention of dengue. Regarding mosquito control activities, 90% of respondents reported turning containers. Conclusions: This highlights the need for school programs with curricula to address vector biology and the prevention of vector-borne diseases not only during activity periods when mosquitoes batter people but all year long to do real prevention.

According to the World Health Organization, dengue is among the top ten global health threats. The invasion of new sites by Aedes aegypti and their permanence depends on environmental characteristics of the site. Therefore, the objective was to understand the environmental characteristics that affect Ae. aegypti distribution in Córdoba city, Argentina. This evaluation was carried out through species distribution models, using maximum entropy modeling technique, incorporating a set of environmental variables known to influence the presence and suitability of Ae. aegypti habitats. The factors evaluated included both meteorological variables, such as minimum and maximum temperature and average precipitation, land cover characteristics like vegetation index and built-up index, and population count. Temperature and precipitation conditions constrain the development and survival of the vector. Vegetation can act as a temperature regulator and provide resting sites, while populated and built-up areas relate to the availability of breeding sites and blood sources. The results indicate that Ae. aegypti habitat suitability is determined by human population count (permutation importance: 89 in 2015, 80.9 in 2017), the amount of built-up areas (61.7, 80.8), vegetation greenness (70.7, 55.9), and minimum temperature (42.2, 92.6). Human population manifested a positive effect on the habitat suitability as well as minimum temperature, while vegetation and the amount of built-up areas showed a quadratic relationship. In this study, we incorporate temperature and precipitation as spatial variables, which were not considered in similar studies in Córdoba City. Our study's results highlight that although demographic and land cover variables prevailed in importance, meteorological variables are also good predictors of spatial distribution of Ae. aegypti at the local scale. The importance of generating maps and/or models to identify the distribution of mosquito habitats lies in the fact that they can show vulnerable areas and guide stakeholders efforts on public health prevention. Also, they can direct actions to vector control and, consequently, the pathogens they transmit.