ABSTRACT Objective The occurrence patterns of immature Aedes mosquitoes and associated risk factors were investigated during the 2024 dengue outbreak in Ghana. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in Accra, Ghana, to identify immature mosquito habitat sites coinciding with the country's first officially declared dengue outbreak. Potential developmental sites for immature mosquitoes were inspected, and collected immatures were identified. Field‐collected pupae of Aedes species were used as indicators of species occurrence and to estimate habitat productivity. Results A total of 49,931 immature mosquito stages were identified from 1085 habitat sites spanning 14 neighbourhoods in 4 districts of Accra. Aedes species comprised 18.5% ( n = 9219) with Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes vittatus (Bigot), predominating and co‐occurring sympatrically. The degree of infestation by both species across neighbourhood and habitat type was comparable and neither species was limited by habitat type. Discarded car tyres ( n = 127/48.7%; pupal positivity = 75/127) and blocked drains ( n = 76/29.1%; pupal positivity = 42/76) harboured most of the Aedes immatures ( n = 7144/77.5%), and accounted for the highest Aedes pupal productivity (86.9%/650). The Relative Pupal Productivity (RPP) (%) between drain and car tyre across neighbourhood did not differ ( p > 0.05) for neither Ae. aegypti nor Ae. vittatus though district/neighbourhood‐level variation was noted. Furthermore, habitat type did not affect sex ratio. Conclusion This study documents the significant presence of Ae. aegypti immatures in blocked drains and tyres in domestic environments in Accra during the 2024 dengue outbreak, and marks the first significant presence of Ae. vittatus, an experimentally proven transmitter of dengue viruses. The expansion of these vectors in urban habitats heightens Ghana's arboviral risk. This study was undertaken during the wet season, a peak period of dengue transmission; thus the findings offer valuable guidance for community‐based preparedness, highlighting some key habitats for prioritization before and throughout the rainy seasons in Ghana.
Deku et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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