Vigilancia de insectos de importancia en salud pública durante la construcción de los proyectos hidroeléctricos Porce II y Porce III, Antioquia, Colombia, 1990-2009 / Twenty-year surveillance of insects relevant to public health during the construction of hydroelectric facilities in Antioquia, Colombia

RESUMEN

Introducción. Los estudios entomológicos en las grandes obras de infraestructura hidroeléctrica constituyen una herramienta para la prevención y el control de enfermedades transmitidas por vectores, debido a que con frecuencia las alteraciones causadas en el medio producen aumento de criaderos naturales y artificiales en el área de influencia y, por ende, incremento de las poblaciones de artrópodos, entre ellos, insectos de interés en salud pública. Objetivo. Realizar estudio y vigilancia de la fauna de Culicidaey Phlebotominae en el área de los proyectos hidroeléctricos Porce II y Porce III, 1990-2009. Materiales y metódos. Se realizaron muestreos entomológicos periódicos para la vigilancia en salud pública de las comunidades ubicadas en el área de influencia y en campamentos y frentes de obra. Los adultos fueron capturados con red para mariposas, trampas de luz Shannon y CDC, y cebo humano protegido. Resultados. Se encontraron larvas de mosquitos de Culex coronator, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. corniger, Cx. quinquefasciatus y Limatus durhami. Los depósitos más frecuentes fueron tanques bajos, canecas, llantas y matas sembradas en agua. Aedes aegypti solo fue capturado en dos localidades rurales de dos municipios del área de influencia. En las zonas de bosque se capturaron mosquitos Aedes, Mansonia, Culex, Psorophora, Wyeomyia, Phonyomyia, Uranotaenia, Haemagogus y Sabethes; el principal fue Haemogogus janthinomis, eficiente vector de fiebre amarilla en Colombia. La zona es endémica para leishmaniasis y se identificaron 20 especies de Lutzomyia. Entre los vectores de malaria, las principales especies encontradas fueron Anopheles nuñeztovari y An. pseudopunctipennis. Conclusión. En la zona de Porce II y Porce III existe diversidad de vectores de importancia en salud pública, que es necesario continuar vigilando para minimizar el riesgo de transmisión de enfermedades a los trabajadores de las obras y comunidades aledañas.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Entomological studies conducted in large hydroelectric infrastructure projects are a tool for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. These diseases emerge as a consequence of changes made to the terrain that often increase the natural and artificial mosquito larval habitats. Many of these insects are of public health importance and population increases result in an increased risk of disease transmission. Objective. The culicine (mosquito) and phlebotomine (sand fly) populations were characterized in the area of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects of Antioquia between 1990 to 2009. Materials and methods. Periodical entomological samplings were made in the area of impact, in the workers camps, and construction sites. Adult specimens were captured with nets, Shannon light traps, CDC light traps, and protected human bait. Results. Mosquito larvae of the following species were identified Culex coronator, Culex nigripalpus, Culex corniger, Culex quinquefasciatus and Limatus durhami. The most frequently identifiers of larval habitats were low tanks, waste cans, tires, and aquatic plants. Aedes aegypti specimens were captured in only two rural locations from two municipalities within the area of influence. Specimens from the following mosquito genera were captured in forest areas Aedes, Mansonia, Culex, Psorophora, Wyeomyia, Phonyomyia, Uranotaenia, Haemagogus and Sabethes. The most important mosquito found was Haemogogus janthinomis, an efficient yellow fever vector in Colombia. The area has been endemic for leishmaniasis and in the current study, 20 species of Lutzomyia sand flies, potential vectors, were identified. Among malaria vectors, the most important species found in the area were Anopheles nuneztovari and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis. Conclusion. A wide variety of vectors were discovered in the area of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects, and many of these were relevant for public health. Further monitoring will be necessary to minimize disease transmission risks among the workers and the inhabitants of the surrounding areas.