Objective To determine abundance, distribution and diversity of potential breeding container habitats of the dengue vectors in public places including schools, restaurants, mosques and parks in southwest areas of Penang Island, Malaysia. Methods Premises at restaurants, schools, parks and mosques were surveyed simultaneously and inspected visually for container habitats and production of immature mosquitoes from March 2015 to March 2016. Abundance (mean ± SE) of breeding containers between sites was compared using One-way ANOVA. Independent sample t-test was used to compare total number of Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) and Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) surveyed. Results The surveyed locations yielded a total of 3 741 breeding containers and 19 537 immature mosquitoes from four areas. Concurrent artificial and natural containers produced 78.4% immature Ae. albopictus and 6.3% Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in wet season, with 14.2% Ae. albopictus and 1.1% Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in dry season. Artificial containers accounted for 98.1% of the total containers recorded, with restaurants being the most productive locations (8 012) and schools being the least productive (2 234). Conclusions It was concluded that public places are good sources of potential container habitats of Aedes mosquitoes in Penang Island, Malaysia and Ae. albopictus has exclusively replaced the home-grown Ae. aegypti even in urban areas. Therefore, treatment of artificial containers in such locations is critical in Aedes mosquito control campaigns during dengue outbreaks.

The world is facing serious health and economic threats from the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The burden of disease has been significant, with tens of millions of cases and more than 1.5 million deaths reported globally.1 Since its emergence in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, COVID-19 has spread around the world, affecting almost all countries. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that is spread by direct contact and respiratory droplets, and patients can be infective while presymptomatic or asymptomatic.2 To reduce opportunities for transmission, most developed countries have implemented lockdowns, causing significant social and economic disruption. Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, are a substantial burden in many countries, especially those with developing economies. Malaria is the most significant mosquito-borne disease, with about 228 million cases reported in 2018 and 231 million in 2017, and 405 000 deaths in 2018 and 416 000 in 2017.3 Dengue is the most commonly reported arboviral disease internationally, with Asia suffering a significant disease burden.4 In countries facing endemic and epidemic malaria and dengue, disruption to government services (in health and non-health sectors) and to public health services could severely impact the ability to implement strategic responses to mosquito-borne diseases. As of 30 June 2020, all malaria-endemic countries in Asia had confirmed cases of COVID-19, and those with developing economies face a particularly serious threat to malaria control efforts. In these countries, local authorities responsible for malaria and dengue control must make strategic preparations for continuing with control measures, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.