Field trials evaluating selected commercially available mosquito traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, and/or octenol were conducted from 18 - 27 September 2000 in a malarious area near Paekyeon-ri (Tongil-Chon) and Camp Greaves in Paju County, Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea. The host-seeking activity for common mosquito species, including the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, was determined using hourly aspirator collections from a human and propane lantern-baited Shannon trap during hours when temperatures exceeded 15oC. The total number of mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test was compared using a block design. Significant differences were observed for the total number of mosquitoes collected, such that, the Mosquito MagnetTM with octenol > Shannon trap > ABC light trap with light and dry ice > Miniature Black Light trap (manufactured by John W. Hock) >; or = New Jersey Trap > ABC light trap with light only. Significant differences in numbers collected among traps were noted for several species including: Aedes vexans (Meigen), Anopheles lesteri Baisas and Hu, An. sinensis Weidemann, An. sineroides Yamada, An. yatsushiroensis Miyazaki, Culex pipiens L., Cx. orientalis Edwards and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Host-seeking activity for most common species showed a similar bimodal pattern. Results from these field trap evaluations can significantly enhance current vector and disease surveillance efforts especially for the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Cx.tritaeniorhynchus.
Animals ; *Appetitive Behavior ; Culicidae/*physiology ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; Korea ; Light ; Mosquito Control/*instrumentation/methods ; Seasons

We reported a previously healthy 25-year-old female patient who developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis following repeated exposures to the smoke of mosquito coils. The patient presented with vague symptoms of cough and fever for 3 days. Diagnostic criteria proposed for clinical use in this case included history, exposure to a recognized antigen, physical examination, consistent radiographic images, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy. Much symptomatic relief and better radiographic response were noted after short-term use of oral corticosteroid and removal of the offending antigen.
Adult ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Insect Repellents ; adverse effects ; Mosquito Control ; methods ; Smoke ; adverse effects

Extensive previous studies on taxonomy, behavior/bionomics and control of Anopheles sinensis are reviewed and summarized. Recent molecular identification revealed that the population of An. sinensis complex includes An. sinensis, An. pullus, An. lesteri and at least two new species, and An. yatsushiroensis is synonmy of An. pullus. An. sinensis is the main vector specie of vivax malaria in Korea. Larvae of An. sinensis breed in wide range of habitats which are naturally-made clean water, stagnant or flowing; main habitats include rice fields, ditches, streams, irrigation cannals, marshes, ponds, ground pools, etc. Their host preferences are highly zoophilic. Human blood rate is very low (0.7-1.7%) ; nevertheless An. sinensis readily feeds on man when domestic animals are not found near by. They feed on hosts throughout the night from dusk to dawn with a peak period of 02: 00-04: 00 hours; they are slightly more exophagic (biting outdoors) ; much larger numbers come into the room when light is on. Main resting places are outdoors such as grasses, vegetable fields and rice fields. A mark-release-recapture study resulted that 37.1% was recaptured within 1 km, 29.4% at 1-3 km, 21.1% at 3-6 km, 10.3% at 6-9 km and 2.1% at 9-12 km distance. An. sinensis hibernate outdoors (mostly under part of dense grasses) during October-March. At the end of the hibernation period (March-April) they feed on cows at daytime. Until today any single measure to effectively control An. sinensis population has not been found. Indoor residual spray with a long-lasting insecticide can not reduce vector population densities, but shorten their life spans in some degree, so contributes to malaria control.
Animals ; Animals, Domestic/parasitology ; Anopheles/parasitology/*physiology ; Bites and Stings ; *Ecosystem ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; *Insect Vectors ; Korea ; Larva/physiology ; *Malaria, Vivax ; Mosquito Control ; Plasmodium vivax ; Population Density ; Seasons

INTRODUCTIONWe investigated the 2005 outbreak of dengue fever (DF)/dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) to determine its epidemiological, virological and entomological features to further understand the unprecedented resurgence.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll physician-diagnosed, laboratory-confirmed cases of DF/DHF notified to the Ministry of Health, Singapore during the outbreak as well as entomological and virological data were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTSA total of 14,006 cases of DF/DHF comprising 13,625 cases of DF and 381 cases of DHF, including 27 deaths were reported, giving an incidence rate of 322.6 per 100,000 and a case-fatality rate of 0.19%. The median age of the cases and deaths were 32 and 59.5 years, respectively. The incidence rate of those living in compound houses was more than twice that of residents living in public and private apartments. The distribution of DF/DHF cases was more closely associated with Aedes aegypti compared to Aedes albopictus breeding sites and the overall Aedes premises index was 1.15% (2.28% in compound houses and 0.33% to 0.8% in public and private apartments). The predominant dengue serotype was DEN-1. A significant correlation between weekly mean temperature and cases was noted. The correlation was strongest when the increase in temperature preceded rise in cases by a period of 18 weeks.

CONCLUSIONThe resurgence occurred in a highly densely populated city-state in the presence of low Aedes mosquito population. Factors contributing to this resurgence included lower herd immunity and change in dominant dengue serotype from DEN-2 to DEN-1. There was no evidence from gene sequencing of the dengue viruses that the epidemic was precipitated by the introduction of a new virulent strain. The current epidemiological situation is highly conducive to periodic dengue recurrences. A high degree of vigilance and active community participation in source reduction should be maintained.

Adult ; Aedes ; Animals ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Herd ; Incidence ; Insect Vectors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mosquito Control ; Primary Prevention ; methods ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serotyping ; Singapore ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo assess the larvicidal and repellent potential of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of peppermint plant, Mentha piperita (M. piperita) against the larval and adult stages of Aedes aegypti (Ae. Aegypti).

METHODSThe larvicidal potential of peppermint oil was evaluated against early fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti using WHO protocol. The mortality counts were made after 24 and 48 h, and LC50 and LC90 values were calculated. The efficacy of peppermint oil as mosquito repellent was assessed using the human-bait technique. The measured area of one arm of a human volunteer was applied with the oil and the other arm was applied with ethanol. The mosquito bites on both the arms were recorded for 3 min after every 15 min. The experiment continued for 3 h and the percent protection was calculated.

RESULTSThe essential oil extracted from M. piperita possessed excellent larvicidal efficiency against dengue vector. The bioassays showed an LC50 and LC90 value of 111.9 and 295.18 ppm, respectively after 24 h of exposure. The toxicity of the oil increased 11.8% when the larvae were exposed to the oil for 48 h. The remarkable repellent properties of M. piperita essential oil were established against adults Ae. aegypti. The application of oil resulted in 100% protection till 150 min. After next 30 min, only 1-2 bites were recorded as compared with 8-9 bites on the control arm.

CONCLUSIONSThe peppermint essential oil is proved to be efficient larvicide and repellent against dengue vector. Further studies are needed to identify the possible role of oil as adulticide, oviposition deterrent and ovicidal agent. The isolation of active ingredient from the oil could help in formulating strategies for mosquito control.

Aedes ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Animals ; Insect Repellents ; pharmacology ; Insecticides ; pharmacology ; Larva ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Mentha piperita ; chemistry ; Mosquito Control ; methods ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology

A field trial on the control effect of fipronil poison bait against German cockroaches (Blatella germanica) was carried out at different restaurant types in Sinchon, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Monitoring was performed applying food baited traps for 2 days per week. Reduction rates of German cockroaches by applying fipronil baits were 90.9% at Korean restaurants, 96.4% at Chinese restaurants, and 89.4% in beer hall kitchens after 4 weeks of the treatment. Overall average of the reduction rate was 93.9%. As the natural reduction rate at untreated restaurants was 11.5% after 4 weeks, a correction of the average reduction rate by applying the Abbot formula was 93.1%.
*Pyrazoles ; *Insecticides ; Insect Control/*methods ; *Cockroaches ; Animals

Animals ; Insect Vectors ; Pest Control, Biological

In Nigeria, malaria causes up to 11% of maternal mortality. Our main aim was to find out the most common mosquito control measures employed by the pregnant women in Lagos and their effects on malaria infection. The study was carried out over a period of 6 months during which trained interviewers administered questionnaires to 400 pregnant women. The prevalence of malaria was 8.4%. There was no significant association between the prevalence of malaria and age, level of education, or occupation of the participants. Pregnant women in the age range 26-30 had the mean parasite density (409.9+/-196.80). Insecticide spray (32.8%), mosquito coil (27.5%), and insecticide-treated nets (ITN) (15.5%) were the major mosquito control measures employed by the participants while the prevalence of infection among them were 2.3%, 6.2%, and 3.2%, respectively (P<0.05). Only 18.3% of the women had taken more than one dose of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT), while another 11.8% had taken a single dose. The infection rate among them was 4.1% and 6.4%, respectively. Malaria prevalence was highest among those who had not received any dose of IPT (10%). This study showed that the use of ITN and IPT among the pregnant women were still unacceptably low. It also showed that the use of insecticide spray which was the most common malaria control measure adopted by the participants was effective despite the fact that it is not a National Malaria Control Policy. We recommend that a sustained integrated mosquito management and public education should be strengthened in Nigeria.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; *Culicidae/parasitology ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; *Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Insecticides ; Malaria/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; Mosquito Control/*methods ; Nigeria/epidemiology ; Plasmodium/*physiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; Prenatal Care ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Questionnaires ; Young Adult

A randomized comparison group pretest-posttest experimental design was used to quantitatively determine the effects of environmental control measures on patients with allergic rhinitis. Environmental controls included wrapping the mattress with a vinyl cover, washing the top bedding cover with 55 degrees C hot water every two weeks, removal of soft furniture, and wet cleaning of the bedroom floor every day. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The amount of house dust mites in dust samples collected from the bedroom floor, bedding and mattress, as well as the nasal symptoms of patients, were measured twice at one-month intervals. A significant decrease in house dust mites in dust samples and relief in patients' nasal symptoms were observed in the experimental group who had environmental controls.
Adult ; Animal ; Dust* ; Environment* ; Female ; Human ; Insect Control*/methods ; Male ; Mites* ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the kinds and occurrence of pests of Cistanche deserticola and its hosts so as to find ways of pest control.

METHODPests of C. deserticola and its hosts were investigated in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia where C. deserticola grows, the occurrence of Anomala titanis Reitter was investigated in the field, and phoxim was used for field control.

RESULTThere are 17 kinds of pests which harm C. deserticola and its hosts. Phoxim 40% EC 1000 times, 2000 times and Phoxim 3% GR [8 kg x (667 m2)(-1)] had 100% controlling effect, and 3% GR [4 kg x (667 m)(-2-1)] had 88.23% controlling effect.

CONCLUSIONMany kinds of pests can harm the C. deserticola and its hosts. Phoxim is good for killing A. titanis Reitter.

Animals ; Chenopodiaceae ; Cistanche ; Coleoptera ; Insect Control ; Insecticides ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Plants, Medicinal