Dengue in Java, Indonesia: relevance of mosquito indices as risk predictors

Wijayanti, S. P. M., Sunaryo, S., Suprihatin, S., McFarlane, M. , Rainey, S. M., Dietrich, I., Schnettler, E., Biek, R. and Kohl, A. (2016) Dengue in Java, Indonesia: relevance of mosquito indices as risk predictors. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 10(3), e0004500. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004500) (PMID:26967524) (PMCID:PMC4788303)

Abstract

Background: No vaccine is currently available for dengue virus (DENV), therefore control programmes usually focus on managing mosquito vector populations. Entomological surveys provide the most common means of characterising vector populations and predicting the risk of local dengue virus transmission. Despite Indonesia being a country strongly affected by DENV, only limited information is available on the local factors affecting DENV transmission and the suitability of available survey methods for assessing risk. Methodology/principal findings: We conducted entomological surveys in the Banyumas Regency (Central Java) where dengue cases occur on an annual basis. Four villages were sampled during the dry and rainy seasons: two villages where dengue was endemic, one where dengue cases occurred sporadically and one which was dengue-free. In addition to data for conventional larvae indices, we collected data on pupae indices, and collected adult mosquitoes for species identification in order to determine mosquito species composition and population density. Traditionally used larval indices (House indices, Container indices and Breteau indices) were found to be inadequate as indicators for DENV transmission risk. In contrast, species composition of adult mosquitoes revealed that competent vector species were dominant in dengue endemic and sporadic villages. Conclusions/significance: Our data suggested that the utility of traditional larvae indices, which continue to be used in many dengue endemic countries, should be re-evaluated locally. The results highlight the need for validation of risk indicators and control strategies across DENV affected areas here and perhaps elsewhere in SE Asia.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by the Higher Education Ministry of Education, Indonesia (Directorate General of Higher Education Postgraduate Scholarship to SPMW) and the UK Medical Research Council (AK). RB is supported by the RAPIDD programme of the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security and NIH Fogarty International Center.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mcdonald, Dr Melanie and Wijayanti, Miss Siwi and Biek, Professor Roman and Dietrich, Dr Isabelle and Schnettler, Dr Esther and Rainey, Dr Stephanie and Kohl, Professor Alain
• Authors: Wijayanti, S. P. M., Sunaryo, S., Suprihatin, S., McFarlane, M., Rainey, S. M., Dietrich, I., Schnettler, E., Biek, R., and Kohl, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1935-2727
• ISSN (Online): 1935-2735