Presence, characterization and productivity profiles of aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), in Barentu, Gash Barka Zone, Eritrea

摘要

In Eritrea epidemics of dengue fever (DF) appeared in different places with different temperatures andaltitudes. Studies on Aedes spp. mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) composition, distribution and their habitatsare lacking. A cross sectional survey was conducted in Barentu town, Gash Barka Zone (GBZ), duringthe period Dec. 2017-May 2018, to investigate the existence, characterization and productivity profiles ofAedes mosquito using the standard WHO techniques. A total of 413 households (HHs) from threevillages, viz. Selam, Fithi and Biyara, in Barentu, were selected. All water-holding containers in andaround the HHs were inspected for Aedes larva and pupa. Adults were also collected from indoor andoutdoor resting sites. Adults and larvae were morphologically identified to their species level. Thecollections were made from a total of 2,057 water containers inspected from the three villages. Of these,668 (32%) containers were found to be positive. A total of 59,368 larvae and 5,085 pupae were collectedfrom 11 types of containers. The most important habitat types/containers were barrels, cement waterbasins, water storage tanks, water clay-pots and others; all these account for 90% of the larvae and thepupae collected. The house, container, Breteau and pupal/demographic indices were calculated. Theselarval indices, adult biting index (ABI) or human landing rate (HLR) were high. The vector identificationresults revealed that Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) is the only Aedes species found in the area. The larvalhabitats were abundant both outdoor and indoor. The actual resting places were also found both indoorand outdoor. It is concluded that the area is at risk for DF. Some recommendation were suggested.