A cross-sectional survey of Aedes aegypti immature abundance in urban and rural household containers in central Colombia

Abstract

Background Aedes aegypti, the major vector of dengue, breeds in domestic water containers. The development of immature mosquitoes in such containers is influenced by various environmental, ecological and socioeconomic factors. Urban and rural disparities in water storage practices and water source supply may affect mosquito immature abundance and, potentially, dengue risk. We evaluated the effect of water and container characteristics on A. aegypti immature abundance in urban and rural areas. Data were collected in the wet season of 2011 in central Colombia from 36 urban and 35 rural containers, which were either mosquito-positive or negative. Immature mosquitoes were identified to species. Data on water and container characteristics were collected from all containers.ResultsA total of 1452 Aedes pupae and larvae were collected of which 81% were A. aegypti and 19% A. fluviatilis. Aedes aegypti immatures were found in both urban and rural sites. However, the mean number of A. aegypti pupae was five times higher in containers in the urban sites compared to those in the rural sites. One of the important factors associated with A. aegypti infestation was frequency of container washing. Monthly-washed or never-washed containers were both about four times more likely to be infested than those washed every week. There were no significant differences between urban and rural sites in frequency of washing containers. Aedes aegypti immature infestation was positively associated with total dissolved solids, but negatively associated with dissolved oxygen. Water temperature, total dissolved solids, ammonia, nitrate, and organic matter were significantly higher in urban than in rural containers, which might explain urban-rural differences in breeding of A. aegypti. However, many of these factors vary substantially between studies and in their degree of association with vector breeding, therefore they may not be reliable indices for vector control interventions.ConclusionsAlthough containers in urban areas were more likely to be infested with A. aegypti, rural containers still provide suitable habitats for A. aegypti. Containers that are washed more frequent are less likely to produce A. aegypti. These results highlight the importance of container washing as an effective vector control tool in both urban and rural areas. In addition, alternative designs of the highly productive washbasins should continue to be explored. To control diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya, effective vector breeding site control must be implemented in addition to other interventions.

Correlation of Container Characteristic, Water-Container Draining Practice, and the Ownership Status of Residence with the Presence of Aedes Sp Larvae in Tembalang, Semarang

“…Contrary to expectations, this study did not find the significant correlation between containers place and the presence of Aedes sp. This finding was also reported by Overgaard et al [17]. While the result of chi-square examination showed no correlation between container's water sources and the presence of Aedes sp Larvae with p value = >0.999 (p value≥0.05).…”

“…Contrary to expectation, this study did not find significant difference between practices water-container draining and the presence of Aedes sp larvae. The result of this research matches with the research conducted by Riandi et al in Tasikmalaya 2017, and it was revealed that there were no significant correlations between the practice of water-container draining and the presence of Aedes sp larvae as shown by p value = 0.099 in Cibunigeulis village [21] while other study conducted by Overgaard found that the frequency of washing container associated with Aedes sp investation, never-washed-container reported four times more likely to be infested than those washed every week [17]. Despite having been drained, there were still moss and dirt on the water container wall.…”

Arbovirus Vectors of Epidemiological Concern in the Americas: A Scoping Review of Entomological Studies on Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Virus Vectors

“…Another reported the density of mosquitoes in storm drains compared to other settings [80]. Overgaard et al [81] and Unlu et al [82] investigated container characteristics associated with the presence of particular mosquito species. One study evaluated the correlation between mosquito resting habitat and energy accumulation in Florida, US [83].…”

“…albopictus to be more common in urban environments compared to rural, and similar results were obtained for Ae. aegypti by Overgaard et al [81], Hagenlocher et al [88] and Silva Lima et al [89]. Fuentes-Vallejo et al [90] compared Ae.…”

Distribution and seasonal fluctuations of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larval and pupae in residential areas in an urban landscape

“…For example, recent studies in Kenya, Columbia and Selangor have shown that there are substantial numbers of Ae. aegypti habitats found in both rural and urban areas [14][15][16].…”