The Sanitation Surveillance at Taichung International Airport, Taiwan, 2015–2021

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202402_40(3).0001

Shu-Fen Cheng ^1,2*, Min-Tsung Lin ¹, Kung-Ching Wang ¹, Shun-Wen Tsai ¹, Ching-Fen Ko ^1,3, Jhy-Wen Wu ¹

2024 Vol.40 NO.3

Correspondence Author： Shu-Fen Cheng ^1,2*

Abstract：

        According to Taichung International Airport sanitation surveillance data from 2015 to 2021, only 1 Culex quinquefasciatus was captured from a Southeast Asia airplane, and it was speculated to be an exotic species. Adult mosquito survey captured 6 species of mosquito, including Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. pipiens, Aedes albopictus, Ae. vexens vexans, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. Annulus. The major species was Cx. Quinquefasciatus (404, 91.4%) and Cx. Pipiens (27, 6.1%); others were sporadic. The mosquito captured by BG-Sentinel traps did not process the DNA sequencing for comparison. The average positive rate of ovitraps was 52.3% during summer, but the eggs of Aedes albopictus could be found throughout the year. The main rodent species in the surveillance were Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus. The results of serum antibody surveys on Rattus norvegicus in 2015 and Suncus murinus in 2017 were positive for hantavirus. According to the consumption of rodenticide baits, rodents were still active in the airport. 
        Mosquitos and rodents are the major surveillance vectors in international airports. We suggest that the airport authority should monitor the surveillance data, improve port sanitation, and raise awareness of the importance of environmental sanitation to reduce the transmission of disease by mosquitoes and rodents to protect the health of travelers and workers.