ABSTRACT
Introduction: Dengue fever, otherwise called break bonefever, is a mosquito borne tropical illness brought aboutby the dengue virus. In the present study an attempt wasmade to identify the reason for the year wise increase ofdengue incidence in Madurai District .The object of MedicalGeography is to study the geographical environment of humansociety and its influence on the health of man. In this directionthe present study helps to understand how the disease governedby people attitude, behavior and knowledge among dengueMaterial and Methods: To fulfill the objectives Primary andSecondary data were collected. Stratified random samplingmethod was used to collect the primary data.450 respondentswho were interviewed by direct questionnaire method, 20variables were selected. Year wise dengue cases were collectedfrom Deputy Directorate of Health Department Madurai.Results: During the previous ten years dengue cases becomeexpanding significantly in Madurai district. In 2017 thepercentage of dengue infection attains its zenith. Whencompared to 2012 dengue infection is doubled as 51% of casesin 2017. The increasing or decreasing rate of dengue infectiondepends on the knowledge, attitude and practice of peopleamong dengue and it seems low in educated people also.Conclusion: Dengue affected areas not up to the mark evenin educated people also. The initial phase in real life againstthe dengue mosquito is to educate communities about whatdengue is and what measure can be taken to battle it. A reliablewater supply is essential to prevent dengue fever. Watershortage force people to store water, which leads to breedingplaces for dengue mosquitoes.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue is rapidly becoming established in north-east India and spreading, on account of rapid urbanization and population movement, with reported morbidity and attributable death cases. This study aims to determine the seasonal abundance of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus and Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti in Guwahati metropolis and suburban settlements; to characterize the breeding resources for these mosquitoes; and to ascertain the status of their susceptibility to adulticides and larvicides. Methods: Mosquito larval surveys were carried out in different localities in both Guwahati city and adjoining suburbs from January to December 2013, to determine the seasonal abundance of disease vectors and their breeding preferences. The insecticide susceptibility status of mosquito adults and larval populations of both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus was ascertained, using World Health Organization standard diagnostic concentrations and test procedures. Results: The study revealed that both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are widely abundant in Guwahati city and suburbs, and breeding in a wide variety of resources. Aedes albopictus, however, was the predominant mosquito species in suburbs, breeding preferentially in flower vases, cut-bamboo stumps and leaf axils. Aedes aegypti was the most common in the city, breeding predominantly in discarded tyres, cement tanks and used battery boxes. Both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were resistant to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT; 4%), but susceptible to malathion (5%), and exhibited a varied response to pyrethroids. However, larval populations of both these mosquito species were susceptible to larvicides, including malathion (1.0 mg/L), temephos (0.02 mg/L) and fenthion (0.05 mg/L), at much lower dosages than diagnostic concentrations. Conclusion: Given the seasonal abundance and case incidence in city areas, it is highly probable that Aedes aegypti is the predominant mosquito vector transmitting dengue virus. The study results have direct relevance for the state dengue-control programme, for targeting interventions and averting outbreaks and spread of disease.