Prevalence of Aedes aegypti in Shahdara Zone, Delhi, India

Abstract

Delhi is a union territory and the capital of India. There are three municipal corporations in Delhi viz. North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). Out of total 12 zones in Delhi, two zones are under EDMC namely Shahdara South and Shahdara East. Entomological surveys were carried out in different localities of Shahdara East zone of Delhi from January to December 2019 with the view to study the prevalence of Aedes aegypti mosquito for required intervention. Random houses were selected for checking all type of water filled containers in and around the houses. The immature stages of Aedes aegypti were collected during larval surveys. Density prevalence level was recorded using different indices. House Index (HI) in the study area was highest in the month of October. However, HI started increasing from August. Container Index (CI) and Breteau index (BI) were also highest in the month of October and increase was found from August, the larval breeding was negligible during winter season. It was also observed during the study that plastic containers were the most preferred breeding habitats. The study concluded that timely intervention including sustained vector surveillance could help in controlling upsurge of Dengue in densely populated areas of Shahdara zone.