Identification of essential containers for <i>Aedes</i> larval breeding to control dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Dengue fever (DF), one of the mostimportant emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite ofcontainer breeding mosquitoes <i>Aedesaegypti</i> and <i>Aedes albopictus</i>. Ahousehold entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August throughOctober 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, androoftop for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Theobjective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of eachcontainer type and to identify some risk factors of the households to beinfested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 9222 households inspected, 1306(14.2%) were positive for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 38 777wet containers examined, 2272 (5.8%)were infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Containers used for reserving water,such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most essential containers forlarval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop of the households were alsoimportant for larval breeding. Although present in abundant, less importancewas indicated for buckets. Independent household, having water storage systemin the house, and having fully/partly shaded outdoor premise were foundsignificantly associated with household infestation of <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers ina given area may potentially reduce mosquito density below a level at whichdengue transmission may be halted.