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Introduction: first infected cases caused by West Nile virus were reported in Cuba in 2004., Objective: to monitor and learn about the prevalence of the West Nile virus in those areas with confirmed cases., Methods: the study was conducted in Jatibonico municipality and in the city of sancti Spiritus. A total number of 14 persons, 8 horses and 41 birds were researched to detect antibodies to flavivirus and specific antibodies to West Nile virus., Results: the presence of specific antibodies to West Nile virus was confirmed in 4 samples of sera from birds and in 4 from horses. One person was confirmed as one case of asymptomatic West Nile virus infection., Conclusions: the presence of specific antibodies to West Nile virus in birds, horses and persons residing in areas where there are confirmed cases showed that a local amplification cycle had been established in Cuba before this study.

One thousand and three hundred twenty one fish from Cyprinodon variegatus, Gambusia punticulata, Fundulus grandis saguanus. Cubanichthys cubensis y Girardinus metallicus were collected for the purpose of locating and identifying fish of interest in the control of mosquito larvae in Cayo Santa Maria, Villa Clara province. Ecological indexes such as diversity (H') and equity (J') were estimated through a program named BIODIVERSITY Pro v2 and also the contents in the stomach of 341 specimens (25,81%) of the total was analyzed. The most abundant and distributed species in all the sampled sites was C. variegatus followed by G puncticulata. The number of fish of these species showed a differential gradient going from West to East: upward for C. variegatus and downward for G. puncticulata (X2 = 150,60, p< 0,001), being the latter the species that most equitably used the food resources (J' = 0,92) since it consumed 6 of them for food. These indigenous fish that are abundant in natural reservoirs should be taken into account for integrated control plans aimed at mosquito, gnat and horsefly breeding sites found in these locations.

The one-generational metric changes occurring in Triatoma flavida (Hemiptera: Triatominae) when carried from its wild habitat (caves) to laboratory, were examined using traditional morphometric techniques. As for other species of Triatoma, Rhodnius or Panstrongylus studied in similar conditions, a significant reduction of head, thorax and wing size was observed. Sexual dimorphism of the wings, while present in the wild sample, was not detected anymore in the laboratory individuals. Biological significance and epidemiological importance are discussed.

Parasitism present in others of Periplaneta americana in 3 municipalities of Havana City was observed, and it was detected that Tetrastichus hagenowii (Ratz.) attained significant levels of parasitism for an average value of 21.5% in the oothecae revised. Their presence in locations where different pesticides are used and their biological characteristics give them the probability of being an efficient bioregulator of cockroaches.

We show the culicids collected in the Guajaibón zone, in Havana Province, in order to characterize the present population according to ecological parameters and the possible risk for man. We show that Aedes scapularis is numerically and ecologically dominant over the rest of the species that attack men, as well as the possible indirect influence of culicid populations in crab caves upon human beings.

An analysis is done of the species of culicides captured by the surveillance system of Aedes aegypti, with larvitraps, at the Mariel Municipality, during 1984-1987 period. The study shows an increased presence of Aedes mediovittatus in the system of larvitraps during the working period, demonstrating it the usefulness of sing larvitraps in the surveillance programmes of dengue in order to detect other species besides Aedes aegypti.

The collections of culicidae made in the Guajaibón area, North coast of Havana province, are analyzed with arbovirologic purposes. The predominance of Aedes scapularis in the human bait collections is confirmed. The possibility of arbovirus circulation in the area is suggested.

The distribution of the main culicide species of medical significance in the Isle of Youth is determined, and an assessment of the major areas of influence of these species as well as future prospects is made. Twenty-seven culicide species from 8 genera--19 of which are reported as medically significant in the literature--are found. By way of conclusion recommendations for vector control in the Isle of Youth are provided.