P37 - Preliminary Analysis of Bloodmeal Sources of Mosquitoes Collected from Myanmar

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

12:15 PM - 1:45 PM PDT

Location: Hall A

Presenter(s)

Ismaaeel Abdur-Rahmaan, B.A.

Post-Baccalaureate Research Associate
Colorado State University, Colorado, United States

Co-Author(s)

AM

Austin Mejia, B.S., M.S.

Graduate Student
Colorado State University, Colorado, United States
OA

Ohnmar Aung, M.S.

Public Health and Health Social Scientist
University of California, Davis, California, United States
PA

Pyae Phyo Aung, n/a

Executive Director
Nature Conservation Society, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
NP

Nang Phyu Phwe, n/a

Nature Conservation Society, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
TH

Thura Soe Min Htike, n/a

Range officer
Nature Conservation Society, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
TA

Tin Htun Aung, n/a

Nature Conservation Society, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
NG

Nicole Gardner, M.S.

Program Officer
Colorado State University, California, United States
CK

Christine Kreuder-Johnson, VMD, MPVM, PhD

Director, NSF Center for Pandemic Insights Director, EpiCenter for Emerging Infectious Disease Intel
University of California, Davis, California, United States
TS

Tierra Smiley Evans, DVM, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of California, Berkeley, California, United States
Rebekah C. Kading, M.S., PhD

Associate Professor
Colorado State University, Colorado, United States

Abstract: Understanding the interactions between hosts and vectors is key to deciphering the transmission patterns of arthropod-borne viruses. This knowledge is especially valuable in Southeast Asia, where the risk for disease is further exacerbated by the turbulent economic, environmental, and social challenges these areas face. Specifically, arthropods such as mosquitoes are known to be vectors for varying viruses such as Dengue, Zika, Japanese Encephalitis, and Chikungunya viruses, among others. Yet, Myanmar’s mosquito population and role in arbovirus transmission are greatly understudied, even though it is considered one of the most biodiverse countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted mosquito surveillance in Myanmar across a forest-to-urban landscape gradient in the Paung Laung forest region. Mosquitoes were collected in Saung Paung and Naung Ta Yar villages during the wet (September 2024) and dry (January 2025) seasons and will be analyzed for species diversity, bloodmeal source, and arbovirus presence. Determining bloodmeal sources through molecular methods will allow us to recognize potential threats of infection of humans, wildlife, and livestock. To achieve this, vertebrate blood hosts were identified from engorged mosquitoes by amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 and/or cytochrome b genes. Preliminary data on the blood hosts of mosquito vectors of Myanmar will then be presented. Our other aim within this project is to perform viral screening on the mosquitoes collected. This will deepen our knowledge of the prevalence of these viruses within mosquitoes, which will allow us to again see the potential threat of arboviruses within Myanmar. These findings will contribute to the understanding of arboviral ecology within Myanmar and the potential for viral outbreaks.