Benefits of mosquito surveillance programs in protected areas: two case reports from Eastern Austria
Carina Zittra, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT)
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are among the most important vectors of pathogens, which raises conflicts between human interests and species conservation in protected areas. Here we present two studies partly focusing on wetland areas in Eastern Austria (including the Donau-Auen National Park) that demonstrate (I) the comparatively little importance of protected wetland areas as vector sources for the spread of emerging human pathogens like West-Nile Virus in Austria; and (II) how protected areas can benefit from carefully designed mosquito monitoring to inform visitors, stakeholders and the local populace.