Epidemiological Significance of SubterraneanAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae) Breeding Sites to Dengue Virus Infection in Charters Towers, 1993

Abstract

The objective of this study wasto determine the epidemiological significance of subterranean mosquito breeding sites to the 1993 outbreak of dengue fever (type 2) in the northern Queensland town of Charters Towers, Australia. In recent studies on subterranean mosquito breeding, containers such as wells and service manholes have been shown to be important breeding sites to Australia's only dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.). This study demonstrates a direct epidemiological association between subterranean breeding sites and dengue virus infection. The mean distance between residents seropositive for dengue 2 and the nearest subterranean container (113 m) was significantly less than for a randomly selected control (191 m), (F = 81.9; df = 1, 478; P < 0.001). Residents positive for dengue 2 antibodies was 2.47 (95% confidence interval 1.88-3.24) times higher for those living within 160 m of a well or service manhole, compared with those residing further away. These findings emphasize the importance of incluuding subterranean water containers in Ae. aegypti surveillance and control programs.

Dengue in Southeast Asia: epidemiological characteristics and strategic challenges in disease prevention

“…Such an application would not be highly relevant in urban Singapore or Kuala Lumpur where the universal availability of potable water to all households makes water storage for domestic use unnecessary. Other examples abound 51,52 and thus vector control programs would need to be relevant to the local ecology.…”

Mosquito-borne Diseases as a Consequence of Land Use Change

“…Researchers in Australia have found that subterranean habitats may account for as much as 78% of the vector mosquitoes during the dry season when surface water is scarce (Kay et al, 2000a). Additionally, these researchers have found that dengue virus exposure (transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes) is approximately 2.5 times greater for people living within 160 meters of a well or service manhole (Russell et al, 2002). The contribution of subterranean and surface storm water systems to vector abundance and disease transmission is unknown for most regions, and vector specialists are rarely consulted before implementation.…”

Population Dynamics of Aedes aegypti and Dengue as Influenced by Weather and Human Behavior in San Juan, Puerto Rico

“…Additionally, the existence of cryptic containers with water producing large numbers of Ae. aegypti has been more frequently reported [19]–[22], and in at least one occasion, those recondite containers have been linked to local dengue virus transmission [23]. Some cryptic containers, such as septic tanks in Puerto Rico, can produce Ae.…”