Results of medical arthropod surveys in the natural conserve zone- Can Gio mangrove forests, Ho Chi Minh city

Background: Can Gio mangrove forest is bio-diversified area. There is few studies on medical arthropod in Can Gio mangrove forest until now. Objective: To study bio-diversified feature and identify species with disease transmitting role. Subject and Method: In 2007, medical arthropod surveys were conducted at 3 sites located in the natural conserve zone- Can Gio mangrove forest. A cross-sectional study was used. Results and Conclusions: A total of samples of 6178 individuals of medical arthropod belonging to 65 species have been collected, including 3 species of flea (Siphonaptera), 1 species of ticks (Ixodidae), 6 species of chiggers (Trombiculidae), 6 species of mites (Gamasoidea), 25 species of flies (Muscoidea) and 24 species of mosquitoes (Culicidae). They belong to 37 genus, 17 families, 3 orders (Siphonaptera, Acarina and Diptera), and 2 classes (Insecta and Arachnida). 20 species having epidemiological role were found in Can Gio mangrove forest. The rate of Anopheles epiroticus biting human at night indoor, outdoor and daytime indoor is rather high, especially at the end of dry season at centre of the forest.

Health status and hearing of the workers who have been exposured to organic solvent at Phóc Yªn and Yªn Viªn shoe companies

The studies involved 192 workers exposured to organic solvent and have worked at least 4 years or more. Overall, in both companies, 45.6 - 46.8% of participated workers have category III of health status, 8.5-13.9% have category II and 2.53 - 4.26% have category I. The incidence of otorhinolaryngological and dentistry diseases is highest. RBC, hematocrite and platelet counts tend to decrease in comparison with general population. Mean urinary hypuric acid level in exposured workers is higher than in others. Overall, in both companies, 14.4% of workers have some degree hearing loss.