Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas
Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant public health threat, prompting the need to pinpoint high-risk areas for targeted interventions and environmental control measures. Culex quinquefasciatus is the primary vector for several mosquito-borne pathogens, including West Nile virus. Using...
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Health Geographics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-024-00385-4 |
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| author | Morgan Jibowu Melissa S. Nolan Ryan Ramphul Heather T. Essigmann Abiodun O. Oluyomi Eric L. Brown Maximea Vigilant Sarah M. Gunter |
| author_facet | Morgan Jibowu Melissa S. Nolan Ryan Ramphul Heather T. Essigmann Abiodun O. Oluyomi Eric L. Brown Maximea Vigilant Sarah M. Gunter |
| author_sort | Morgan Jibowu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant public health threat, prompting the need to pinpoint high-risk areas for targeted interventions and environmental control measures. Culex quinquefasciatus is the primary vector for several mosquito-borne pathogens, including West Nile virus. Using spatial analysis and modeling techniques, we investigated the geospatial distribution of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance in the large metropolis of Harris County, Texas, from 2020 to 2022. Our geospatial analysis revealed clusters of high mosquito abundance, predominantly located in central Houston and the north-northwestern regions of Harris County, with lower mosquito abundance observed in the western and southeastern areas. We identified persistent high mosquito abundance in some of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods, highlighting the importance of considering socioeconomic factors, the built environment, and historical urban development patterns in understanding vector ecology. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between mosquito abundance and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status with the area deprivation index explaining between 22 and 38% of the variation in mosquito abundance (p-value < 0.001). This further underscores the influence of the built environment on vector populations. Our study emphasizes the utility of spatial analysis, including hotspot analysis and geostatistical interpolation, for understanding mosquito abundance patterns to guide resource allocation and surveillance efforts. Using geostatistical analysis, we discerned fine-scale geospatial patterns of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance in Harris County, Texas, to inform targeted interventions in vulnerable communities, ultimately reducing the risk of mosquito exposure and mosquito-borne disease transmission. By integrating spatial analysis with epidemiologic risk assessment, we can enhance public health preparedness and response efforts to prevent and control mosquito-borne disease. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3407229af7b04befa37a4a9e6be90a9d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1476-072X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Health Geographics |
| spelling | doaj-art-3407229af7b04befa37a4a9e6be90a9d2024-12-08T12:45:15ZengBMCInternational Journal of Health Geographics1476-072X2024-12-0123111210.1186/s12942-024-00385-4Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, TexasMorgan Jibowu0Melissa S. Nolan1Ryan Ramphul2Heather T. Essigmann3Abiodun O. Oluyomi4Eric L. Brown5Maximea Vigilant6Sarah M. Gunter7Department of Epidemiology, UTHealth School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South CarolinaDepartment of Epidemiology, UTHealth School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology, UTHealth School of Public HealthSection of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of MedicineDepartment of Epidemiology, UTHealth School of Public HealthHarris County Public Health, Mosquito and Vector Control DivisionDivision of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s HospitalAbstract Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant public health threat, prompting the need to pinpoint high-risk areas for targeted interventions and environmental control measures. Culex quinquefasciatus is the primary vector for several mosquito-borne pathogens, including West Nile virus. Using spatial analysis and modeling techniques, we investigated the geospatial distribution of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance in the large metropolis of Harris County, Texas, from 2020 to 2022. Our geospatial analysis revealed clusters of high mosquito abundance, predominantly located in central Houston and the north-northwestern regions of Harris County, with lower mosquito abundance observed in the western and southeastern areas. We identified persistent high mosquito abundance in some of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods, highlighting the importance of considering socioeconomic factors, the built environment, and historical urban development patterns in understanding vector ecology. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between mosquito abundance and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status with the area deprivation index explaining between 22 and 38% of the variation in mosquito abundance (p-value < 0.001). This further underscores the influence of the built environment on vector populations. Our study emphasizes the utility of spatial analysis, including hotspot analysis and geostatistical interpolation, for understanding mosquito abundance patterns to guide resource allocation and surveillance efforts. Using geostatistical analysis, we discerned fine-scale geospatial patterns of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance in Harris County, Texas, to inform targeted interventions in vulnerable communities, ultimately reducing the risk of mosquito exposure and mosquito-borne disease transmission. By integrating spatial analysis with epidemiologic risk assessment, we can enhance public health preparedness and response efforts to prevent and control mosquito-borne disease.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-024-00385-4Mosquito abundanceSpatial analysisBuilt environmentEnvironmental controlPublic healthHouston |
| spellingShingle | Morgan Jibowu Melissa S. Nolan Ryan Ramphul Heather T. Essigmann Abiodun O. Oluyomi Eric L. Brown Maximea Vigilant Sarah M. Gunter Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas International Journal of Health Geographics Mosquito abundance Spatial analysis Built environment Environmental control Public health Houston |
| title | Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas |
| title_full | Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas |
| title_fullStr | Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas |
| title_short | Spatial dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus abundance: geostatistical insights from Harris County, Texas |
| title_sort | spatial dynamics of culex quinquefasciatus abundance geostatistical insights from harris county texas |
| topic | Mosquito abundance Spatial analysis Built environment Environmental control Public health Houston |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-024-00385-4 |
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