Diversity and Distribution of the Aedes Vectors in the Coastal Sites of Puducherry, Southern India

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue poses a significant public health challenge
in Pondicherry. Understanding the distribution of Aedes mosquito
populations is critical for devising and implementing effective vector
control strategies.
Methods: This study aimed to measure the abundance of dengue
vectors through entomological surveillance methods and to evaluate
the potential for dengue virus transmission within the coastal regions
of Pondicherry. An entomological survey was carried out across nine
randomly selected localities within Puducherry, in and around the
premises, during 2019–2020, covering 180 households monthly.
Results: The analysis for the Adult Premise Index, per man hour density,
and correlation was calculated using the SPSS Version 16.0 for assessing
significant findings. The study found that Aedes mosquitoes infested
24.9% of the 537 positive houses. The adult density of Aedes mosquitoes
was 16.6 per 10 person-hours and the average number of mosquitoes
per house was 0.27 per 10 man-hours. The per-person-hour density
of Aedes mosquitoes varied from 8.0 to 23.7 and was more abundant
during monsoon months. Similarly, the adult premise index of Aedes
mosquitoes varied from 8.9 to 36.7 and did not differ significantly
in various months. Ae. aegypti was the predominant dengue vector
followed by Ae. albopictus, which was most prevalent in June and less
prevalent in February.
Conclusion: The current study provides valuable baseline data on the
abundance and distribution of dengue vectors in the coastal areas of
Pondicherry. Continued entomological surveillance is necessary to
monitor the effective of control measures and detect changes in vector
abundance and distribution over time.

Velan I, Prasad P, Baskar V, Venkat V, Anil A,
Ragupathi L. Diversity and Distribution of the
Aedes Vectors in the Coastal Sites of Puducherry,
Southern India. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(1):79-84.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202509