ABSTRACT
Entomological surveys were undertaken at some of the international airports/seaports (Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Thiruvanathapuram and Vishakapatnam) to find out the breeding prevalence of dengue vector mosquito in diverse breeding containers from 1998 to 2004. Three vector indices (House index, Container index and Breateu index) were used to assess the breeding potential at each airport/seaport. International Health Regulations urged national governments to keep all the international airports/seaports and peripheral areas up to 400 meters free from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, surveys revealed high vector indices at all the airports and seaports. Health authorities of airports/seaports need to take cognizance of these facts and develop action plan for appropriate control measures with emphasis on vector surveillance.
Subject(s)
Aedes/physiology , Animals , Breeding , Dengue/transmission , Environmental Monitoring , Humans , India , Insect Vectors/physiology , Mosquito Control , Population Density , TravelABSTRACT
Scrub Typhus outbreak investigation was undertaken during September 2003 in the three worst affected districts Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh (India). A total of 113 cases and 19 deaths (17.27 percent case fatality rate) were reported from the eight districts, which were reporting cases. Cases were prevalent in all age groups and in both the sexes among the persons frequenting forest for occupational work. 35.7 percent of the patients serum samples showed a titer of > 1: 80 against OX 19 and OXK antigen is suggestive of Scrub Typhus. Entomologically Rattus rattus (39.5 per cent) was the most prevalent species followed by Suncus murinus (22.91 percent), Bandicoota bengalensis (29.16 percent) and Bandicoota indica and Mus musculus (4.16 percent each). Vector species Leptotrombidium deliense and Gahrliepia (schoengastilla) sp. were recorded. The chigger index 23.0 was found to be highest in Vill. Baldian and 5.0 in Vill. Bhatakuffer (Shimla) and 1.0 in Vill. Rebon (Solan), which is above the critical limit of 0.69 per rodents. Other mite species, ixodid ticks, fleas and lice have been recorded.