Emergence of Mosquito-borne Viruses in Iran and Adjacent Countries: The Case of Chikungunya
Abstract:
Scientific overwhelming evidence confirms that the prevalence and incidence of mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya (CHIK) are dramatically increasing in MiddleEastern countries including Iran. Methods: In this review article, using relevant keywords (“Chikungunya” OR “CHIKV” OR “Aedes albopictus” OR “Aedes aegypti”), available literature was searched to collect data related to the reports of CHIK and its main vectors, Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti, in Iran and 15 neighboring countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Results: CHIK was reported in neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq. Furthermore, presumably introduced in 2019, CHIK was reported in 11 provinces in Iran with overall seropositivity of 17.23% in humans over the past three years. The mosquitoes, Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, have recently been reported in the southeast and south of Iran. Conclusion: Given the change in climate, even if the density of the vectors is still limited, there is no guarantee that their population will not spread much more in the coming years. This emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen the surveillance system for the vectors, and sustained surveillance of CHIK infections in mosquitoes and humans, preferably in a collaborative international project.
Abstract
Background: Scientic overwhelming evidence conrms that
the prevalence and incidence of mosquito-borne viruses such
as chikungunya (CHIK) are dramatically increasing in Middle-
Eastern countries including Iran.
Methods: In this review article, using relevant keywords
(“Chikungunya” OR “CHIKV” OR “Aedes albopictus” OR
“Aedes aegypti”), available literature was searched to collect
data related to the reports of CHIK and its main vectors, Aedes
albopictus and Ae. aegypti, in Iran and 15 neighboring countries:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Results: CHIK was reported in neighboring countries such as
Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar,
and Iraq. Furthermore, presumably introduced in 2019, CHIK
was reported in 11 provinces in Iran with overall seropositivity
of 17.23% in humans over the past three years. The mosquitoes,
Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, have recently been reported in
the southeast and south of Iran.
Conclusion: Given the change in climate, even if the density
of the vectors is still limited, there is no guarantee that their
population will not spread much more in the coming years. This
emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen the surveillance system
for the vectors, and sustained surveillance of CHIK infections
in mosquitoes and humans, preferably in a collaborative
international project.
Abstract
Background: Scientic overwhelming evidence conrms that
the prevalence and incidence of mosquito-borne viruses such
as chikungunya (CHIK) are dramatically increasing in Middle-
Eastern countries including Iran.
Methods: In this review article, using relevant keywords
(“Chikungunya” OR “CHIKV” OR “Aedes albopictus” OR
“Aedes aegypti”), available literature was searched to collect
data related to the reports of CHIK and its main vectors, Aedes
albopictus and Ae. aegypti, in Iran and 15 neighboring countries:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Results: CHIK was reported in neighboring countries such as
Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar,
and Iraq. Furthermore, presumably introduced in 2019, CHIK
was reported in 11 provinces in Iran with overall seropositivity
of 17.23% in humans over the past three years. The mosquitoes,
Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, have recently been reported in
the southeast and south of Iran.
Conclusion: Given the change in climate, even if the density
of the vectors is still limited, there is no guarantee that their
population will not spread much more in the coming years. This
emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen the surveillance system
for the vectors, and sustained surveillance of CHIK infections
in mosquitoes and humans, preferably in a collaborative
international project.
Abstract
Background: Scientic overwhelming evidence conrms that
the prevalence and incidence of mosquito-borne viruses such
as chikungunya (CHIK) are dramatically increasing in Middle-
Eastern countries including Iran.
Methods: In this review article, using relevant keywords
(“Chikungunya” OR “CHIKV” OR “Aedes albopictus” OR
“Aedes aegypti”), available literature was searched to collect
data related to the reports of CHIK and its main vectors, Aedes
albopictus and Ae. aegypti, in Iran and 15 neighboring countries:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Results: CHIK was reported in neighboring countries such as
Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar,
and Iraq. Furthermore, presumably introduced in 2019, CHIK
was reported in 11 provinces in Iran with overall seropositivity
of 17.23% in humans over the past three years. The mosquitoes,
Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, have recently been reported in
the southeast and south of Iran.
Conclusion: Given the change in climate, even if the density
of the vectors is still limited, there is no guarantee that their
population will not spread much more in the coming years. This
emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen the surveillance system
for the vectors, and sustained surveillance of CHIK infections
in mosquitoes and humans, preferably in a collaborative
international project.
