Increased risks of mosquito-borne disease emergence in temperate regions of South America

Abstract

In winter (August) 2024, we found the mosquito Aedes aegypti active in all life stages (egg, larvae, pupa, and adult) inside homes in the temperate city of Córdoba, Argentina (31°24′S, 64°11′W), located in the Southern Cone of South America. Historically, Ae. aegypti activity begins between the last week of October and the first week of November, lasting until the end of May. Aedes aegypti is a highly efficient vector of dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and other arboviruses, and the active presence of mosquitoes inside homes during the winter of 2024 raises the risk of earlier onset of cases and may contribute to a significant surge in arboviral disease cases in the upcoming summer.