McLennan County Mosquito Research: Diversity and Disease-Vector Potential

Abstract Purpose: A multitude of vector-obligate diseases are increasingly becoming a greater importance to the United States of America. As climate change generates novel weather patterns, vector-mosquito ranges are expanding, and more suitable habitats are sustained - many in regions previously not possible. Furthermore, international trade has permitted the migration of vector mosquito species, which facilitate the emergence of dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), zika virus (ZIKV), and west nile virus (WNV), in human populations previously unafflicted. A standing quantification of all mosquito species within an area can lead to better prevention tactics, and awareness before epidemic disease rates are observed. This experimental setup is designed to obtain field data describing the respective quantities of the local mosquito populations. This data has not been established for the McLennan County since 2004. Therefore, this data collected from the field will provide a contemporary baseline for the quantitative analysis of mosquitoes for the region Methods: Our experimental design utilized CDC light traps (CDC-LT), coupled with CO2 bait (dry ice). Following the mosquito collection, species cataloging was done using reference materials previously established, and proven via dissection microscope analysis of mosquito characteristics. The Shannon-Weiner Index, and species richness values were generated from the samples. After establishing these statistical analyses, the disease-vector potential was postulated. Results: The results for the disease-vector potential of McLennan County, Texas, gave the potentials for major mosquito-borne diseases: 2% LaCrosse Encephalitis, 7% Malaria, 8% Chikungunya, 8% Dengue Fever, 8% Yellow Fever, 8% Zika, 12% St. Louis Encephalitis, 13% Western Equine Encephalitis, 13% West Nile, and 21% Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Both the diversity index and the the evenness plot resulted in positive linear progressions, with polynomial spreads. Conclusion: The disease-vector potential of the McLennan County, Texas, region supports the possibility of various mosquito-borne diseases via the local vector species present. The major diseases accounted for in the results of this experiment have been well established to be reliant upon the 26 species cataloged. Understanding the mosquito disease-vector potential for Texas remains crucial, as climate change, and other factors continue the spread of diseases throughout the world. Is your abstract for competition or not for competition? No Research Area General Public Health Presentation Type Poster