A Descriptive Study on Larval Habitats of Aedes aegypti Mosquito for Predicting Dengue Outbreak and to Provide Preventive Actions in an Urban Area of Bangalore

Poornima M K; Ravish  H S; Sowmyashree  U; Nidhi  Fotedar

Poornima M K Junior resident, Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore, India.
Ravish H S Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore, India.
Sowmyashree U Junior resident,Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore, India.
Nidhi Fotedar Junior resident, Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore, India.

Keywords: Larval Habitats, Aedes aegypti, Vector Index, Prevention, Dengue

Abstract

Introduction: WHO recommends vector surveillance as an important determinant for predicting dengue outbreaks; so as to provide integrated vector control measures and health education for the community regarding source reduction. The present study was done to find out the habitats of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and to find out the larval indices in an urban poor locality.
Method: A descriptive study was conducted by a door-to-door survey for breeding habitats of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the UPHC area along with the health workers. The sampling unit of the present study was
the house and its surroundings, which were systematically searched for
water-holding containers and each one was examined for the presence of larvae. Subsequently, the house index, container index and Breteau index were computed as risk indices. Later, all the households were given health education regarding source reduction and prevention of dengue.
Results: Among the 1112 houses surveyed with 2295 containers, 92 houses had breeding sites for Aedes larvae having 106 containers infested with Aedes mosquito larvae. The larval indices were found to have a container index of 4.62, a house index of 8.27 and a Breteau index of 9.53.
Conclusion: The present study area had high larval indices which predict dengue transmission. Therefore, immediate vector control measures were implemented with the help of the local municipal corporation to prevent dengue outbreaks in the study area.

How to cite this article:
Poornima M K, Ravish H S, Sowmyashree U,
Fotedar N. A Descriptive Study on Larval Habitats
of Aedes aegypti Mosquito for Predicting Dengue
Outbreak and to Provide Preventive Actions in
an Urban Area of Bangalore. J Commun Dis.
2024;56(2):1-5.

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