Aedes aegypti surveillance at the airports in Trinidad and Tobago: an eight year study

ABSTRACT

A Programme of surveillance for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes was instituted at the airports of Trinidad and Tobago following an epidemic of yellow fever in 1978. The Surveillance system consisted of the use of ovitraps to collect Ae. aegypti eggs. After a period of eight years and the examination of 54,136 ovitrap paddles, 53 paddles were found positive. Only one of the positives came from Tobago. In Trinidad, ovitraps set in the car park and areas easily accessible to the general public were the ones most frequently found positive for Ae. aegypti eggs. The quick detection of positive paddles and close liaison with the Ministry of Health allowed prompt treatment of the affected areas, reducing the risks of possible transport of these mosquitoes by aircraft to other countries.