The epidemiological landscape in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world is dominated by diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya. In Argentina, where dengue outbreaks are seasonal, this mosquito poses a major risk to the population in the north and centre of the country due to urbanisation, environmental changes, and the presence of active breeding sites for several months of the year. This situation is worsened in areas along international transit routes, where high population movement facilitates virus circulation.
For this reason, in 2003 we launched a surveillance and control programme for Aedes aegypti in the town of Clorinda, aiming to implement actions that would reduce the presence of the vector and the diseases it transmits.
To achieve this, we conducted regular home visits to identify potential breeding sites by carefully inspecting artificial containers that could collect water and serve as habitats for mosquito larvae. During each visit, larvae and pupae samples were collected, and larvicides were applied to containers that could not be removed or destroyed.
These surveillance efforts were combined with a monitoring strategy using ovitraps, devices that provide ideal conditions for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs. This allowed us to gather essential data about the locations and times mosquitoes chose for oviposition, as well as the vector’s population density in monitored areas.
Additionally, during home visits, we worked on raising community awareness about the importance of keeping homes and surrounding areas clean and organised, removing unused containers and turning over or covering those in use that hold water. In cases where a suspected dengue case was detected, focus-blocking and waste removal actions were carried out, including thorough cleaning of the affected area and the application of special insecticides to eliminate adult mosquitoes, thereby preventing transmission of the virus to healthy individuals near the identified home.
In 2004, after one year of implementation, the programme expanded to Puerto Iguazú, and thanks to the experience gained, in 2008 the control activities developed in these locations were transferred to the municipalities. We continued carrying out surveillance and monitoring of Aedes aegypti through ovitrap use and home inspections, enabling us to identify most vulnerable areas to mosquito-borne diseases and inform the municipality so it could implement the necessary control actions. One year later, in 2009, the city of Tartagal joined the programme.
Subsequently, Pampa del Indio (Chaco) and Añatuya (Santiago del Estero) were incorporated, though the focus in these locations was solely on ovitrap-based surveillance.
