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Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas

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Percorrer Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas por Domínios Científicos e Tecnológicos (FOS) "Ciências Médicas::Outras Ciências Médicas"

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  • The spread of Aedes albopictus in Portugal: an update of its geographic and seasonal distribution
    Publication . Costa Osório, Hugo; Soares, Patricia; Freitas, R.; Fernandes, R.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Amaro, Fátima; Alves, Maria João
    Over the last two decades, the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus has spread across Europe. Portugal was the last country in southern Europe to report this species, which was first detected in 2017 under the National Vector Surveillance Network—REVIVE. Despite all the measures taken, its distribution has increased rapidly and in 2023, it was introduced in Lisbon, a major urban centre. As Ae. albopictus is a competent vector for dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses, monitoring its geographic distribution and seasonal dynamics is crucial for public health risk assessment.
    2025-03-25Póster em conferência Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Wolbachia Screening in Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens Mosquitoes from Madeira Island, Portugal
    Publication . Fernandes, Rita; Melo, Tiago; Marques Zé-Zé, Líbia Maria; Campos Freitas, Inês; Silva, Manuel; Dias, Eva; Santos, Nuno C.; Gouveia, Bruna R.; Seixas, Gonçalo; Costa Osório, Hugo
    Simple Summary: Mosquitoes can spread serious diseases like dengue and West Nile virus. On Madeira Island, two mosquito species—Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens—are present and may pose a risk to public health. Scientists are exploring new ways to control these mosquitoes using a natural bacterium called Wolbachia, which can reduce a mosquito’s ability to transmit viruses and even lower mosquito populations. However, for these methods to work, it is important to know first if the mosquitoes in the area already carry this bacterium. In this study, we tested Ae. aegypti and Cx. pipiens from Madeira for Wolbachia. Wolbachia was absent in all 100 Ae. aegypti tested but present in all 40 Cx. pipiens. We also found that the Wolbachia in Cx. pipiens belonged to a group commonly seen in other parts of the world. These results are important because they help us understand which mosquito control strategies might work in Madeira. Specifically, if scientists want to use Wolbachia to control Ae. aegypti on the island, they would need to introduce it artificially. This information can help improve public health efforts and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the region.
    2025-04-15Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais