A survey of mosquito species in public schools of Metro Manila, Philippines using Ovitraps as surveillance tool

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study assessed the species composition of mosquitoes collected from ovitraps in selected public schools of Metro Manila, Philippines.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS:</strong> Ovitraps were installed from November 2013 to February 2014, in purposively selected public elementary and high schools of Metro Manila. Ovitraps were installed inside classrooms and collected weekly and examined for mosquito eggs and larvae. Speciation was done once a month from November 2013 to February 2014. All positive paddles were immersed in water for larval emergence, reared to fourth instars and were identified using taxonomic keys.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A total of 1,482 ovitraps were installed in the selected public schools, and 18,325 larvae were collected from elementary schools, while 16,670 larvae were collected from high schools. The mean ovitrap index or infestation rate was 49.69% during the period of data collection. Mosquito larvae were identified as Aedes aegypti (88.94%) and Aedes albopictus (11.06%). Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus coexisted in some of the examined paddles. No significant differences were observed between the type of school and the presence of Aedes larvae. Significant differences were observed between total number of mosquito larvae and months of collection.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The presence of Aedes mosquitoes in schools evidently shows that continuous vector surveillance in schools is necessary as this information will help in the formulation of proactive vector control activities, thereby preventing the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases.</p>