1.Dengue vector abundance and diversity of breeding habitats in Puducherry, South India
Tropical Biomedicine 2016;33(1):71-77
Puducherry had reported regular dengue outbreaks since 2003 with many-fold
increase in number of cases every year. This study was done to assess the intensity of dengue
vector breeding and diversity of breeding habitats. Aedes surveys were conducted in 8 Primary
Health Centres (PHCs) representing both rural and urban areas of Puducherry district
throughout the year 2012. Containers inside and outside randomly (simple) selected houses
and vacant sites around houses were examined for presence of Aedes mosquitoes. The
containers containing water with immature larvae were designated as positive containers
(PC), while the containers holding only water were designated as wet containers and all the
larvae/pupae from the positive containers were collected and entomological indices were
determined using standard WHO methods. The vectors, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus
were encountered in the survey, with Ae. aegypti present in high numbers in urban as well as
rural areas. The plastic containers were found as the most productive indoor breeding habitat
as the 27.2% of the total pupae collected was contributed by plastic containers followed by
flower vase (22.8%) and grinding stone (17.6%). Larval indices were found to vary throughout
the year and highest indices were recorded during the months of October and November
indicating the potential risk of dengue fever during this period.