Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part B (2021)

Author(s): Mensur Yenus, Micheal Brhane, Micheal Berhe, Amanuel Kiflemariam and Kiros Sereke

Abstract: Infections of DF was appeared in an epidemic state in different geographical part of the country including our zone, and lately CHIKV (2018) was introduced to Eritrea through the border we shared with Sudan and getting distributed to the western part mainly Gash Barka and Anseba zones. Apart from the attempts to control the spread of these diseases, there has not been any study done in respect to the Ae. mosquito composition, distribution or even their habitats. A survey was conducted in Keren, Hagaz and Elabered: Anseba Zone, Eritrea during the period July. - Sep. 2020, to investigate the prevalence, container positivity and productivity of Aedes mosquito using the standard WHO techniques. Nearly 900 HHs and their surrounding from three towns vis. Keren Hagaz and Elabred were included in the study. During the study, all methods of larva collections and adult collection were used. These collections were from wet water-holding containers in and around the households. Identification was made only in adult mosquitoes after rearing the immature stages in Elabered entomology laboratory, because DPX (mountant) were not available to use larva for species identification. The collections were made from a total of 3,765 water containers: i.e. from Keren town (1185), Hagaz town (1078) and Elabered town (1204). An average of 4 containers per HH and a positivity of 24.4% were recorded during the study period. Barrel was the most widely used container both at indoor and outdoor sites and thus it was the most productive container in both sites. Nearly 50% of pupa was collected from barrel. Cement basin, clay pot, hand washing basin and water tank (plastic or metal) were also among the most productive containers. Adult biting index (ABI) was high and Ae. aegypti egypti and Ae. aegypti formosus (both sub-species of Ae. agypti) were the species incriminated during the study. The resting places were in both indoor and outdoor and 72% were found to bite at outdoor site