Density of Chikungunya Vectors and Platynectes Beetles in the Rubber Plantations
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Volume 2- Issue 1 : 2018 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.02.000624 Sheikh Afaq Gowhar. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res ISSN: 2574-1241 Research Article Open Access Density of Chikungunya Vectors and Platynectes beetles in the Rubber Plantations Sheikh Afaq Gowhar* 1College of public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il Kingdom, Saudi Arabia Received: December 18, 2017; Published: January 03, 2018 *Corresponding author: Sheikh Afaq Gowhar, College of public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il Kingdom; Saudi Arabia; Email: Abstract Introduction: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted to humans through Stegomyia mosquitoes. Kerala was the worst affected State in India in 2007 with a total of 55.8% of the reported Chikungunya fever cases in the country from the State (NVBDCP, India). Almost all the districts of Kerala were affected with the infection during 2006-2007. Methodology: Population density of beetles in the latex collection containers was evaluated once in fortnightly in all the three study areas, Aimcompu, Chethackal and Pampady. Fixed latex collection containers and discarded latex collection containers in rubber plantations were surveyedResults: to find The out seasonal the beetle density density. of Platynectes beetles in the rubber plantations was studied in all the three areas. Platynectes beetles were found in the latex collection containers in the rubber plantations and the population density of the beetles per latex collection container was found to be maximum during the south-west monsoon season which contributes 50% rainfall annually rubber plantations of Kerala. Conclusion: Temperature increased, the occurrence of Platynectes beetle reduced in the LCC which increased the density of juveniles of St. Albopicta in latex collection containers results the improved adult density of St. albopicta in the rubber plantation sectors of Kerala. The minimum temperature and maximum rain recorded in the study areas during southwest monsoon, which contributes almost 50% rainfall yearly. Keywords: Chikungunya virus; Kerala; Infection; Climate; Rubber plantation; Beetles Introduction The worst affected region was the mid-highland regions which Fifteen States and Union Territories in India witnessed major harbour the vast rubber plantation sectors in the State. The hilly outbreaks of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection since 2005. and semi-forested districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta were During 2007, 3.6 million fever cases were recorded compared with the most affected districts during 2007 epidemic, which constitutes about 1.38 million in 2006 and 1.2 million in 2005, most estimates the major portion in the rubber plantation sectors of Kerala. About drawn from, epidemiological, geographical and demographic data 63.0% of people living in the rubber plantation areas (Kerala [1]. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted to humans through Stegomyia mosquitoes. Kerala was the worst affected State in with this disease [3], St. albopicta acted as main vector species India in 2007 with a total of 55.8% of the reported Chikungunya contributes 80.0% of the rubber production in India), was afflicted [2]. Incidence of Dengue fever, another mosquito borne arbo-viral fever cases in the country from the State (NVBDCP, India). Almost disease is also on an increasing trend in Kerala [4]. St. albopicta all the districts of Kerala were affected with the infection during (Skuse) 1894 (Dipteral: Culicid), the predominant 2006-2007. The factors attributed to this outbreak were the crucial Stegomyia species prevalent in Kerala was recorded as the vector species of mutation “A226” acquired by the virus in 2007 and the abundance of both these arbo-viral diseases [5]. Innumerable Discarded Latex the vector species Stegomyia albopicta in the region [2]. St. aegypti Collection containers (DLCCs), unused Fixed Latex Collection and St. albopicta, the vectors for CHIKV were widely distributed and Containers (FLCCs), and tree holes, leaf axils of pine-apple plants abundant during the pre and post monsoon season. The prevailing and fallen leaves of areca-nut tree etc. climate, terrain and agricultural practices in these districts were conducive for the breeding of St. albopicta /St. aegypti, the vector of Were recorded the key breeding habitats of this species in Chikungunya and Dengue in Kerala. rubber plantation sectors in Kerala [3,6]. Dengue a vector – borne Cite this article: Sheikh A G. Density of Chikungunya Vectors and Platynectes beetles in the Rubber Plantations. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 2(1)- 2018. BJSTR. MS.ID.000624. DOI : 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.02.000624 2066 Sheikh Afaq Gowhar. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res Volume 2- Issue 1 : 2018 and emerging infectious disease is estimated to affect 50-100 prevalent in the State, however, Dengue 2 and 3 are the major million individuals each year in tropical and subtropical areas [7,8]. Demographic and societal changes, such as population growth, Chikungunya Virus occurred at Kolkata in 1963 and was followed serotypes prevalent in Kerala State [4].In India the first outbreak of unplanned urbanization, microevolution of the virus, climatic by Chennai, Puducherry (previously Pondicherry), Vellore and change and modern transportation, have greatly contributed Maharashtra in 1964, another outbreak was reported from Nagpur to the increased incidence and geographical spread of Dengue and Barsi of Maharashtra in 1973. The virus again re-emerged in virus infection in recent decades and distributed among about 2006 after a gap of 32 years and caused an explosive outbreak affecting several States (Directorate of National Vector borne during its epidemic in the Philippines and Thailand [9]. Dengue is disease control programme, 2007), and the attack rate was more 120 countries globally. Dengue was first recognized in the 1950s caused by four serologically distinct types of Dengue virus. DENV-1, than 60% of the population. The virus is a single strand RNA virus DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4, belonging to the family Flaviviridae, belongs to family Togoviridae, genus Alpha virus. genus Flavivirus. The viruses are transmitted to human beings through the bite of Stegomyia mosquitoes such as St. aegypti and St. African continent Tanzania in 1953. In Indian Ocean Island’s the The first outbreak of Chikungunya has been reported from albopicta which are considered as primary and secondary vectors outbreak of Chikungunya occurred in early 2005 [15], after that it of Dengue respectively [9]. The incidence of Dengue fever has spread to adjoining areas and emerged in peninsular India in late 2005 [16]. In India worst affected States were Andhra Pradesh, half of the global population lives under the risk of infection of this increased significantly around the world in recent decades. About Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and arbo-viral disease [10]. St. albopictais becoming an increasingly important vector of Dengue because of its rapidly changing global more than 70, 000 people (Directorate of National Vector Borne Kerala. In Kerala the first epidemic was reported in 2006 affecting Disease Control Programme, 2006), followed by another in 2007 of vector of arboviruses than St. aegypti. St. albopictais highly adaptive distribution [11] and it is generally believed to be a less efficient all the 14 districts in which Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam and therefore can survive even in cooler temperate regions. Its districts were worsted affected where rubber plantations, acts the spread to new areas is due to its tolerance to temperatures below key breeding source of St. albopicta, which would have supported freezing, hibernation and ability to shelter in microhabitats [9]. the recent widespread outbreak of Chikungunya fever in the State St. albopictais an aggressive day-biting species known in different [3].The virus isolated from these areas belonged to the African parts of the world including South East Asia [12], and Southern genotype different from the viruses circulating in 1963–1973, China [13]. Worldwide trade in second hand tires transported to which belonged to the Asian genotype [17,18]. St. aegypti and St. various places, which often contain water could be an ideal place albopicta are the vectors of Chikungunya, however St. albopictais for eggs and larvae of these mosquitoes, has been a key factor in considered the main vector in Reunion and other islands in the the large-scale conquest of St. albopicta in new areas which easily Indian Ocean. St. Aegypi was considered as the principal vector of adapts to new environments, even in a temperate climate. This Chikungunya in Asia including India [1] (Figures 1-4). expansion is creating new opportunities for viruses to circulate in new areas, becoming a common cause of epidemics in St. aegypti- free countries from Hawaii to Mauritius. However St. albopicta adapted to urban domestic environments and is less anthropophilic is considered as an inefficient vector of Dengue because not well than St. aegypti. The Asian tiger mosquito (St. Albopicta) belongs to the East and Southeast Asia, where it originally lived at the edges of forests, breeding in tree hole, containers and other natural reservoir [11]. The entire population of India is under the risk of Dengue. Figure 1: Vector density (PMD) and Platynectes beetles density (per positive LCC) in the rubber plantations. (previously Calcutta) during 1963. The number of Dengue cases In India the first case of Dengue has been reported from Kolkata had been an increasing trend since