First report of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Skuse, 1984 (Diptera, Culicidae) in Cordoba (southern Spain). New challenges for the administration and citizens of Cordoba

Abstract: The first record of the presence of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus in the province of Cordoba is presented. Adults, larvae, pupae and exuviae have been located at different points of housing estates in the northeastern part of the city. One possible origin is the coast around Malaga, much frequented by the citizens of Cordoba. Its detection has been possible due to the programme of monitoring, surveillance and control of hematophagous Dipterans, initiated in 2016 by our research group (Terrestrial Ecology, RNM232) in collaboration with the Sanitation Public Company of Cordoba (SADECO).
The arrival of the tiger mosquito in Cordoba is a relevant issue due to its implications for welfare and public health. In addition to the discomfort and injuries caused by its bites, it is a competent vector of non-endemic arboviruses such as Chikungunya fever, Dengue fever and Zika. Therefore, with the information gathered by our group, the SADECO technicians acted appropriately, with the focus being to control it and try to prevent it from spreading and causing public health problems. However, given the large flow of people between Cordoba and the coast around Malaga, a vacation area very popular among the people of Cordoba, it is foreseeable that the inadvertent transport of mosquitoes by car to Cordoba will generate new outbreaks. Therefore, it will be important to continue with the programme of early detection of this invasive species through coordinated work involving researchers from the University of Cordoba, SADECO technicians, and the local and provincial administrations, with the collaboration of neighbourhood associations and the population in general. The information presented in this article is relevant due to its implications for welfare and public health.
Journal of the European Mosquito Control Association 37: 28-33, 2019