The WINSA network members publication 1

Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) remains a significant public health concern in Ecuador, with Aedes aegypti as the primary vector. In recent years, the detection of Aedes albopictus has raised concerns about potential changes in vector dynamics. This study reports entomo-virological surveillance conducted in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, from June 2023 to September 2024. Mosquito specimens were collected using aspirators and CDC light traps, while immature stages were manually sampled from artificial breeding sites. Morphological identification was performed using pictorial keys, and molecular detection for arboviruses was carried out with the STANDARD M10 module. A total of 3918 mosquito specimens were identified and analyzed using molecular tools, with Ae. aegypti accounting for 90.04 % of the samples. Molecular screening detected Dengue Virus 1 (DENV-1) and Dengue Virus 2 (DENV-2) serotypes exclusively in Aedes aegypti pools, with a positivity rate of 33.69 %. No Dengue Virus 3 (DENV-3), Dengue Virus 4 (DENV-4) serotypes, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, or West Nile virus were detected. Spatial and entomological risk analyses identified high-risk localities, particularly in urban parishes such as Río Verde and Santo Domingo, where both serotypes were co-circulating. Aedes albopictus was present in the study area but tested negative for all screened arboviruses. These findings highlight the persistent epidemiological importance of Aedes aegypti and the need for continued surveillance in areas where Aedes albopictus has recently established.