Prevalence of dengue vectors in Bengaluru city, India: An entomological analysis

Abstract

Dengue is one of the major mosquito-borne diseases in India, posing a threat to human health. The mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linn.) and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), are serving as the primary and secondary vector of dengue virus, respectively. In this study, entomological survey was carried out in indoors and outdoors to record the actual breeding sites and distribution level of dengue vectors in 20 localities of Bengaluru city. A total of 4746 containers with water from 1520 houses were surveyed during the study period. Ae. aegypti was found in every location sampled, showing higher infestation rates in all the surveyed areas. Further, Ae. albopictus is recorded for the first time from South zone (wards 120 and 121) and Mahadevapura zone (ward-82) of Bengaluru city. The most frequently encountered breeding sites were unused grinding stones, flower pots, drums, barrels, rubber tyres and cement tanks etc.