Unusual breeding site of Aedes mosquito a dengue vector

Abstract

            All over the world, including in Thailand, rapid urbanization has dramatically increased environmental pollution. This has promoted the enhancement of disease vectors that impacted on human health. In many countries in the tropics, water supply systems are not well developed. To compensate for shortages of water resources, the custom in these countries is the preservation and storage of water using large containers. These containers serve as excellent breeding habitats for Aedes mosquitoes. Also, the increased use of both private and public transportation systems has increased population travel between endemic areas. It is known that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus play an important role as dengue vectors in Thailand. Their normal breeding habitat is clean and clear water. In this study, a number of the polluted water bodies located in the Muang District of Chiang Mai Province were Evaluated. The objective of the study was to determine whether or not the Aedes mosquito, a dengue vector, could adapt to breeding in polluted water which would lead to an appropriated planning and control of dengue fever in general and dengue vectors in particular.  The results indicated that none of the Aedes mosquitoes were found in any of the 20 polluted water bodies that were studied. However, of the total number of young stage mosquitoes that were identified in the polluted water bodies, 99.9% (6,261/6,263) were Culex quinquefasciatus and 0.04% (2/6,263) were Toxorhynchites sp. And Anopheles barbirostris respectively.