Surveillance of relative prevalence of dengue vectors in Agra city

Abstract

Present paper highlights the annual and month wise prevalence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus for the years 2009 to 2012 in Agra region. Relative prevalence of Ae. aegypti was much higher than that of Ae. Albopictus, however, there was a significant increase in the population of Ae. albopictus from 2009 to 2012 suggesting the spread of this invasive species in the city. Moreover, the study showed that coolers were the main breeding sites of Ae. aegypti in the urban area whereas tire dumps and cement tanks were the preferred larval habitats for the Ae. albopictus. The significant interaction between positive larval habitats and species suggest that coolers, unused tires and garden pots and pits were the major contributors for the maintenance of Aedes population in the city. These sites should be given primary attention for controlling mosquito vectors and thereby preventing the spread of dengue and chikungunya.