Patterns of Aedes aegypti abundance, survival, human-blood feeding and relationship with dengue risk, Kenya

Dengue virus (DENV) transmission risk is influenced by the bionomic traits of key vector, Aedes aegypti . We investigated patterns abundance, survival, and human blood-feeding Ae. populations in two environments Kenya: peri-urban Rabai (coastal Region, dengue-endemic) rural Kerio Valley (Rift no reported dengue outbreak). In both environments, survival (estimated parity), was inversely correlated with vector this weather conditions, notably temperature relative humidity. Rabai, mostly fed on humans (human blood index=51%), a pattern that corroborates cases coastal region. additionally, exhibited opportunistic feeding (livestock, rodents, reptiles, birds), suggesting exposure to zoonotic pathogens via spillover events aided vector. Abundance rates were consistently lower likely related degree urbanization. Remarkably, periods high coincided rates, trend could potentially drive intense DENV at certain times year. found genetic influence anthropophagy but be potential seasonal shifts feeding. The findings study have implications for control strategies, also modeling which should integrate factors beyond abundance.