Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Vietnam

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant threat to humans in almost every part of the world. Key factors such as global warming, climatic conditions, rapid urbanisation, frequent human relocation, and widespread deforestation significantly increase the number of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam, and elsewhere around the world. In southeast Asia, and notably in Vietnam, national mosquito control programmes contribute to reducing the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission, however, malaria and dengue remain a threat to public health. The aim of our review is to provide a complete checklist of all Vietnamese mosquitoes that have been recognised, as well as an overview of mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam. A total of 281 mosquito species of 42 subgenera and 22 genera exist in Vietnam. Of those, Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex are found to be potential vectors for mosquito-borne diseases. Major mosquito-borne diseases in high-incidence areas of Vietnam include malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis. This review may be useful to entomological researchers for future surveys of Vietnamese mosquitoes and to decision-makers responsible for vector control tactics.

Keywords: Aedes; Anopheles; Anophelinae; Culex; Culicidae; Culicinae; Vietnam; vector.

Figure 1

Distribution map of the major vectors.

Figure 2

Landscapes of larval breeding and adult resting habitats of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus.

Figure 3

Photographs of three mosquito species which are known to be major malaria vectors in Vietnam: (a) Anopheles dirus; (b) Anopheles minimus; (c) Anopheles epiroticus.

Figure 4

Photographs of three mosquito species which are potential vectors of several viruses, including dengue, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis in Vietnam: (a) Aedes aegypti; (b) Aedes albopictus; (c) Culex quinquefasciatus.