Temephos Resistance Status of Aedes Aegypti Populations From Havana, Cuba

Aedes aegypti chemical control remains an indispensable alternative to prevent dengue, Zika, and chikungunya outbreaks in Havana, Cuba. The city of Havana requires constant surveillance because of its bioecological characteristics that favor the proliferation of mosquito vectors of these viruses, which constitutes a high risk to the health of its inhabitants. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of the stopping of temephos applications during the 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of susceptibility of Ae. aegypti in 5 municipalities of Havana, Cuba. Larval susceptibility was evaluated by bioassays as described by the World Health Organization. All Ae. aegypti populations tested showed high resistance to temephos. The National Control Program of Ae. aegypti in Cuba will need to promote insecticide rotation policies to prevent the evolution of temephos resistance in Havana.