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.

The 53rd General Assembly of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine was opened in the city of Akita on October 7 for two days under the presidency of Dr. Hiromichi Ohbuchi, director of the Yamamoto Kumiai General Hospital placed under the wings of the Akita Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives for Health and Welfare. This congress, held for the first time in 12 years in Akita, signified the fifth there in the annals of the Association. The management of this congress, carefully planned and filled with simplicity and friendliness, proved heart-warming and impressive.The main presentations to the congress were as followsActing as congress president, Dr. Ohbuchi spoke in his speech of 72 years of hard struggles through which his hospital had gone under the title of “Progress of the Yamamoto Kumiai General Hospital and Community Health care in the Future.”Dr. Masato Hayashi, President of the Association, presented a special lecture under the title of “Measures to Deal with Lifestyle-related Diseases in the Rural Setting in the Future.”Speaking in commemoration of the congress, Norishiro Terada, governor of Akita Prefecture, gave a lecture under the title of “Security and Peace of Minds-Giving Thought to Future Community Medicine in Akita Prefecture.”In a lecture opened to the public, Dr. Yoshio Gyoten, a prominent commentator, dwelled on “How Medical Care Should Respond to the Rural Communities' Bipolarization.”The scientific session featured the presentation of 322 subjects, including 202 orally, 118 by poster and two by video, suggesting that the oral presentations were nearly as twice as poster presentations. This might be so because the method of presentation was restricted to power point.Despite the fact that the congress was held soon after the local area had heavily suffered from a typhoon, the venue halls were filled with enthusiasm and the presentations were quite productive. My most heart-felt thanks go to related officials of the Akita Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives for Health and Welfare as well as Dr. Ohbuchi and his colleagues for their immaculate preparation and management.The next general assembly will be held in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. With Na gano hosting it for the first time in 20 years, we do look forward to the participation of as many Association members as possible.
Congresses <1> ; Mental association ; Lectures [Publication Type] ; Generalized ; Health