Vector Surveillance for Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika Virus and Yellow Fever at Three Blocks of Pakur Districts of Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Vector borne diseases are a major public health problem in India. Dengue is endemic in almost all states and union territories. Aedes mosquitoes are known to transmit Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika virus and Yellow fever diseases to man in both rural and urban areas. Dengue has been restricted to urban area, but it has now spread to rural and tribal areas. An entomological survey was undertaken at selected villages of three Blocks of Pakur district i.e. Pakur, Maheshpur and Amarpada of Jharkhand to know the potential for the transmission of Dengue/Chikungunya, Zika virus and Yellow fever and thereby undertaking surveys of breeding places of the vector species in these area by assessing the vector indices i.e. House Index (HI), Breteau Index (BI) and Container Index (CI) along with virus antigen detection. The entomological indices of G aneshpura, Datiapokhar and Longbahra villages of Maheshpur block recorded very high i.e. HI-28.5, 15.0 & 10.0; BI-34.2, 15.0 & 10.0 and CI-11.8, 8.8 & 4.8 respectively. The entomological indices of Pakur block, villages Jamsherpur, Malipada and Gopinathpur showed HI-7.3, 3.3 & 2.3; BI-7.3, 3.3 & 2.3 and CI-3.5, 1.5 & 1.3 respectively. The entomological indices of Amarpada block, villages-Jagjitpur, Ambajora and Pakudh showed HI-6.6, 0.0 & 0.0; BI-6.6, 0.0 & 0.0; and CI-2.5, 0.0 & 0.00 respectively. However, surveys revealed highest vector indices at Maheshpur block, followed by Pakur block and Amarpada block. Local health authorities of Maheshpur, Pakur and Amarpada blocks need to take cognizance of these facts with the presence of breeding potential areas and to develop micro action plan for appropriate vector control measures along with vector surveillance on regular basis.