Community deployment of metofluthrin emanators to control indoor Aedes aegypti: Efficacy results from a crossover trial in Yucatan, Mexico.

Background: Spatial emanators (SE) are innovative tools for controlling indoor Aedes aegypti due to their relatively easy use and high efficacy. Large-scale implementation challenges include community adoption, particularly ensuring proper installation and timely replacement as SE efficacy wanes.

Methodology And Principal Findings: We conducted a three-arm, open-label entomological cluster randomized controlled trial with a crossover design, involving 588 households, to assess the entomological effect of the community use of metofluthrin emanators.

Successful control of Triatoma dimidiata with residual application of a microencapsulated formulation of pirimiphos-methyl (Actellic 300CS) in southeast Mexico.

Background: Triatoma dimidiata, the main vector of Trypanosoma cruzi throughout South Mexico and Central America, infest domiciles and peridomestic ecotopes of rural and semi-rural communities. This study reports the effect of the residual application of the organophosphate pirimiphos-methyl in a microencapsulated formulation (Actellic 300CS) for the control of intradomiciliary and peridomestic T. dimidiata in the community of Tekik de Regil (hereafter Tekik) in Yucatan, Southeast Mexico.

Evaluation of Multipeptide Sequences Identified in Silico for the Serological Detection of Antibodies against Vector-Borne Diseases.

The socioecological conditions of Mexican regions are conducive to the spread of vector-borne diseases. Although there are established treatment guidelines for dengue and rickettsiosis, diagnosis is complicated. The objective of this work was to identify epitopes of Rickettsia and dengue virus that could be used in serology screening against vector-borne diseases.

Recommendations for Implementing Innovative Technologies to Control : Population Suppression Using a Combination of the Incompatible and Sterile Insect Techniques (IIT-SIT), Based on the Mexican Experience/Initiative.

The future of control emphasizes the transition from traditional insecticides toward more sustainable and multisectoral integrated strategies, like using -carrying mosquitoes for population suppression or replacement. We reviewed the integration of the successful Mexican initiative, "Mosquitos Buenos", with the key challenges outlined in the PAHO guidelines for incorporating innovative approaches into vector control programs. These challenges include establishing essential infrastructure, training personnel, managing field operations, and fostering community support.

The TIRS trial: Enrollment procedures and baseline characterization of a pediatric cohort to quantify the epidemiologic impact of targeted indoor residual spraying on Aedes-borne viruses in Merida, Mexico.

Aedes mosquito-borne viruses (ABVs) place a substantial strain on public health resources in the Americas. Vector control of Aedes mosquitoes is an important public health strategy to decrease or prevent spread of ABVs. The ongoing Targeted Indoor Residual Spraying (TIRS) trial is an NIH-sponsored clinical trial to study the efficacy of a novel, proactive vector control technique to prevent dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections in the endemic city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Evidence of Ongoing Transmission of Zika Virus in Mérida, Mexico.

Since the Zika virus (ZIKV) pandemic in 2015-2017, there has been a near absence of reported cases in the Americas outside of Brazil. However, the conditions for Aedes-borne transmission persist in Latin America, and the threat of ZIKV transmission is increasing as population immunity wanes. Mexico has reported only 70 cases of laboratory-confirmed ZIKV infection since 2020, with no cases recorded in the Yucatán peninsula.

Targeted indoor residual insecticide applications shift Aedes aegypti age structure and arbovirus transmission potential.

While residual insecticide applications have the potential to decrease pathogen transmission by reducing the density of vectors and shifting the age structure of the adult mosquito population towards younger stages of development, this double entomological impact has not been documented for Aedes aegypti. Aedes collected from households enrolled in a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the epidemiological impact of targeted indoor residual spraying (TIRS) in Merida, Mexico, were dissected and their age structure characterized by the Polovodova combined with Christopher's ovariole growth methods. In total, 813 females were dissected to characterize age structure at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months post-TIRS.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in a pediatric cohort of unvaccinated children in Mérida, Yucatán, México.

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in children during the global COVID-19 pandemic has been underestimated due to lack of testing and the relatively mild symptoms in adolescents. Understanding the exposure rates in the pediatric population is essential as children are the last to receive vaccines and can act as a source for SARS-CoV-2 mutants that may threaten vaccine escape. This cross-sectional study aims to quantify the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies in children in a major city in México in the Spring of 2021 and determine if there are any demographic or socioeconomic correlating factors.

Educational intervention for the control of Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia in Yucatan, Mexico.

Unlabelled: The implementation of new control strategies for Aedes aegypti (Ae. Aegpyti), a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, requires communities to adopt specific behaviors to achieve the success of these innovations.

Aim: We evaluated the effect of an educational intervention based on the Precede-Proceed Model (PPM) and the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DIT) for the control and prevention of diseases transmitted by Ae.

Preventive residual insecticide applications successfully controlled Aedes aegypti in Yucatan, Mexico.

Insecticide-based approaches remain a key pillar for Aedes-borne virus (ABV, dengue, chikungunya, Zika) control, yet they are challenged by the limited effect of traditional outdoor insecticide campaigns responding to reported arboviral cases and by the emergence of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. A three-arm Phase II unblinded entomological cluster randomized trial was conducted in Merida, Yucatan State, Mexico, to quantify the entomological impact of targeted indoor residual spraying (TIRS, application of residual insecticides in Ae. aegypti indoor resting sites) applied preventively 2 months before the beginning of the arbovirus transmission season.

Pilot trial using mass field-releases of sterile males produced with the incompatible and sterile insect techniques as part of integrated Aedes aegypti control in Mexico.

Background: The combination of Wolbachia-based incompatible insect technique (IIT) and radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) can be used for population suppression of Aedes aegypti. Our main objective was to evaluate whether open-field mass-releases of wAlbB-infected Ae. aegypti males, as part of an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) plan led by the Mexican Ministry of Health, could suppress natural populations of Ae.

Protective effect of house screening against indoor Aedes aegypti in Mérida, Mexico: A cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of house screening (HS) on indoor Aedes aegypti infestation, abundance and arboviral infection in Merida, Mexico.

Methods: In 2019, we performed a cluster randomised controlled trial (6 control and 6 intervention areas: 100 households/area). Intervention clusters received permanently fixed fiberglass HS on all windows and doors.

Case Report: Congenital Arthrogryposis and Unilateral Absences of Distal Arm in Congenital Zika Syndrome.

Zika virus was recognized as a teratogen in 2015, when prenatal Zika infection was associated with neonatal microcephaly. The transmission, virulence, tropism, and consequences of Zika virus infection during pregnancy are currently studied. Decreased neural progenitor cells, arrest in neuronal migration and/or disruption of the maturation process of the fetus central nervous system have been associated.

Abundance and Seasonality of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Two Suburban Localities of South Mexico, With Implications for Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae)-Carrying Male Releases for Population Suppression.

We conducted a baseline characterization of the abundance and seasonality of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762)-a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika-in two suburban localities of Yucatan, Mexico, as the first step in the implementation of an integrated vector management (IVM) plan combining 'traditional Aedes control' (source reduction/truck-mounted ultra-low volume [ULV] spraying) and incompatible insect technique/sterile insect technique for population suppression in Yucatan, Mexico. Weekly entomological collections with ovitraps and BG-sentinel traps were performed in 1-ha quadrants of both localities for 1 yr. Three distinct periods/phases were identified, closely associated with precipitation: 1) a phase of low population abundance during the dry season (weekly average of Aedes eggs per ovitrap and adults per BG trap = 15.

The entomological impact of passive metofluthrin emanators against indoor Aedes aegypti: A randomized field trial.

Background: In the absence of vaccines or drugs, insecticides are the mainstay of Aedes-borne disease control. Their utility is challenged by the slow deployment of resources, poor community compliance and inadequate household coverage. Novel application methods are required.

Insecticide-treated house screening protects against Zika-infected Aedes aegypti in Merida, Mexico.

Background: The integration of house-screening and long-lasting insecticidal nets, known as insecticide-treated screening (ITS), can provide simple, safe, and low-tech Aedes aegypti control. Cluster randomised controlled trials in two endemic localities for Ae. aegypti of south Mexico, showed that ITS conferred both, immediate and sustained (~2 yr) impact on indoor-female Ae.

Natural arbovirus infection rate and detectability of indoor female Aedes aegypti from Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.

Arbovirus infection in Aedes aegypti has historically been quantified from a sample of the adult population by pooling collected mosquitoes to increase detectability. However, there is a significant knowledge gap about the magnitude of natural arbovirus infection within areas of active transmission, as well as the sensitivity of detection of such an approach. We used indoor Ae.

The TIRS trial: protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of preventive targeted indoor residual spraying to reduce Aedes-borne viral illnesses in Merida, Mexico.

Background: Current urban vector control strategies have failed to contain dengue epidemics and to prevent the global expansion of Aedes-borne viruses (ABVs: dengue, chikungunya, Zika). Part of the challenge in sustaining effective ABV control emerges from the paucity of evidence regarding the epidemiological impact of any Aedes control method. A strategy for which there is limited epidemiological evidence is targeted indoor residual spraying (TIRS).

Efficacy of Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets With Declining Physical and Chemical Integrity on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Fitting long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) as screens on doors/windows has a significant impact on indoor-adult Aedes aegypti (L.), with entomological reductions measured in a previous study being significant for up to 2 yr post-installation, even in the presence of pyrethroid-resistant Aedes populations. To better understand the mode of LLIN protection, bioassays were performed to evaluate the effects of field deployment (0, 6, and 12 mo) and damage type (none, central, lateral, and multiple) on LLIN efficacy.

Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women, Yucatan, Mexico.

We report demographic, epidemiologic, and clinical findings for a prospective cohort of pregnant women during the initial phase of Zika virus introduction into Yucatan, Mexico. We monitored 115 pregnant women for signs of active or recent Zika virus infection. The estimated cumulative incidence of Zika virus infection was 0.

Estimating absolute indoor density of Aedes aegypti using removal sampling.

Background: Quantification of adult Aedes aegypti abundance indoors has relied on estimates of relative density (e.g. number of adults per unit of sampling or time), most commonly using traps or timed collections using aspirators.

Dengue seroprevalence in a cohort of schoolchildren and their siblings in Yucatan, Mexico (2015-2016).

Background: The implementation of vector control interventions and potential introduction new tools requires baseline data to evaluate their direct and indirect effects. The objective of the study is to present the seroprevalence of dengue infection in a cohort of children 0 to 15 years old followed during 2015 to 2016, the risk factors and the role of enhanced surveillance strategies in three urban sites (Merida, Ticul and Progreso) in Yucatan, Mexico.

Methods: A cohort of school children and their family members was randomly selected in three urban areas with different demographic, social conditions and levels of transmission.

Epidemiology of dengue and other arboviruses in a cohort of school children and their families in Yucatan, Mexico: Baseline and first year follow-up.

Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease of humans and is caused by the four serotypes of dengue virus. To estimate the incidence of dengue and other arboviruses, we analyzed the baseline and first year follow-up of a prospective school-based cohort study and their families in three cities in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Through enhanced surveillance activities, acute febrile illnesses in the participants were detected and yearly blood samples were collected to evaluate dengue infection incidence.