Assessment of Aedes larval density in Patna district, Bihar in 2024: Implications for vector control

Abstract

Bihar is one of the dengue endemic states in India. The entomological aspects of dengue in this region have been the focus of very few published studies. To determine the significance of entomological surveillance, the degree of a major dengue outbreak was determined through the House Index (HI), Container Index (CI) and Breteau Index (BI) of these prime locations, such as the Kankarbagh, Patna City, Danapur, Rajeev Nagar, Bajrangpuri and Rajendra Nagar areas, which were measured during entomological surveillance, which included investigating every residence for Aedes spp. Immature stages. Mosquitoes are controlled by trained field workers. A total of 935 houses were examined to detect immature mosquitoes. Infestation indices are used to guide measures of control and to issue alerts. The Kankarbagh areas had the highest larvae indices, i.e., house index = 45.33, container index = 53.33 and Breteau index = 53.33, followed by Patna city, Danapur, Rajeev Nagar, Bajrangpuri and Rajendra Nagar areas, respectively. Since there are at present no specific drugs, medication or vaccines available to treat dengue fever or dengue haemorrhagic fever, the outbreak can be prevented by applying entomological surveillance and its significance. These findings indicate Aedes aegypti (64%) and Culex (20%) were the two most common mosquito species that breed infective dengue in containers in urban areas. Over investigation efforts illustrate the importance of identifying the prone regions for mosquito breeding and proliferation, it indicates necessary to raise awareness and implementation of effective dengue transmission control efforts.