In various countries the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a known vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses and other pathogens, but its ecology and role in disease transmission in Nepal has not been studied yet. Here, we report on an investigation of the seasonal distribution of potential artificial breeding habitats of A. albopictus in urban areas of the Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts of Nepal. Larval collections were performed from April 2009 to March 2010 simultaneously in all the wet containers present in and around the houses of the study areas. Altogether 1873 water containers in Kathmandu district and 1807 in Lalitpur district were searched in 12 months, out of which 107 (5.7%) and 129 (7.1%), respectively, were found positive for A. albopictus breeding. Within the urban agglomeration of both districts, the breeding was found to vary between localities. Immature stages of A. albopictus were recorded in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons as 1.9%, 6.7% and 5.6%, respectively, in wet containers in Kathmandu district. In Lalitpur district, A. albopictus larvae were detected in 4.6%, 7.6% and 7.1% of the wet containers in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon, respectively. The breeding preference ratio during all seasons was highest for discarded tires lying outdoors in both Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts. Among nine container types searched and examined, 95% of discarded tires were found positive for A. albopictus larvae and pupae, followed by metal drums (2%) and plastic drums (1.25%). Continued and increased urbanization and vehicle movement in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts have resulted in increased amounts of non-biodegradable containers such as tires around human dwellings, thereby creating ideal breeding habitats for A. albopictus.

A cross sectional survey was carried out by taking 516 mid night blood samples from 206 households in 1,2 and 3 wards of Salyantar village development committee of Dhading district, Nepal with the objective to analyze the epidemiological situation of lymphatic fi lariasis. The main aim of the study was to provide the data essential for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the services to the prevention, control and treatment of lymphatic fi lariasis.Questionnaire survey was conducted for the collection of information of the respondents. Blood samples were collected by means of ear-lobe prick method. Microscopical examination of the collected blood samples revealed 117 positive cases i.e. 22.67%. Males (24.54%) were found to be infected more than females (21.28%) in the ration of 1.2:1. The highest distribution of microfi larial parasites was in the age group >70 years (36.36%) while the least was in the age group ≤10 years (12.37%). The infected youngest person was 4 years old boy and the oldest was 85 years old man. Endemicity rate and crude disease rate was reported to be 44.76% and 22.09% respectively. Illiteracy, lack of awareness about the disease, poor sanitation, carelessness in using bed-nets and health were identifi ed as the major risk factors for fi lariasis.

Qualitative analysis of 44 fecal samples of yaks from Lehe VDC of Manaslu Conservation Area showed the positive result in 36 samples (81.82%). Strongyle showed the highest infection (47.23%) while the least was with Amphistomum (8.34%). Infection with Trichuris, Ascaris, Eimeria and Coccyx were also reported in the present study. The pattern of infection was both mixed (52.78%) and single (47.23%).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v12i0.6525 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 12 (2011) 366-369

A six month long entomological study on the adult density of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, the principal vector of filariasis was conducted during April to September 2011 at Thapa Gaun, Jhaukhel and Lama Tole, Nagarkot VDCs of Bhaktapur district. The study resulted 916 (882 female and 34 male) C. quinquefasciatus out of the total collected mosquitoes (3040). The population density was found to be highest in Thapa Gaun (26.09) while indoor density was relatively higher than the outdoor density for both the sites which were significantly related. Monthwise densities were insignificantly related with July showing the highest density while the density in human residence and cattle shed were insignificantly related for Jhaukhel site and was significantly related with Nagarkot site. Morning and evening population densities were significantly related for both sites while no significant relationship was observed between the density of the vector and temperature and variation in temperature and humidity in the study area.