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Poster Session

Poster Session

Poster Session

P17 - Adapting AGO-Based Vector Management Strategies for High-Density Public Housing Complexes in Bayamón, Puerto Rico  

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM PDT
Location: Hall A
Abstract: Mosquito surveillance systems enable continuous monitoring of target species and provide critical data to guide and evaluate control strategies. In Puerto Rico, previous studies identified a density threshold of four female Aedes aegypti per trap per week as critical level for reducing dengue virus transmission in Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO)-based systems. However, these studies focused primarily on single-family residential areas; no prior evaluations have been conducted exclusively in multifamily, high-density environments such as Public Housing Complexes (PHCs).


As part of the Integrated Vector Management (IVM) Project in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, an AGO-based surveillance system was implemented across ten PHCs from February 2024 to October 2025. Despite intensive control interventions, La Alhambra (2.11 acres) maintained the highest mosquito density, 10.46 female/trap/week (min: 3.3 max: 28.3 by week) across 81 weeks and eight surveillance AGO (SAGO). To investigate contributing factors, 25 additional SAGOs were deployed. After 11 weeks, revealing 1.5 times higher mosquito densities near the perimeter, suggesting migration from adjacent communities.


To mitigate this, a buffer zone was established by installing two AGO traps in each residence within 150 m of the PHC perimeter (42% coverage, contingent on resident consent). Mosquito density is now monitored using 48 SAGOs inside and outside the PHC and 131 control traps. Seven weeks after buffer installation, average density declined to 3.93 females/trap/week (min:2.8 max:5.6 by week), with traps on the west side showing 0.94 times the density of those in the east.


These findings highlight the importance of adapting vector control strategies to complex, high-density environments. Spatially targeted interventions, such as buffer zones, can enhance AGO system effectiveness and significantly reduce Ae. aegypti populations in challenging urban settings.