Detection of dengue virus in Aedes mosquitoes in Delhi, India

Abstract

Detection of viruses in human sera particularly in endemic areas is cumbersome and laborious. Therefore, an alternative approach, Immuno-fluorescence assay (IFA) was performed to determine dengue virus (DENV) positivity in mosquitoes. A total of 1055 adult Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes were tested for IFA test against DENV. Minimum infection rate (MIR) for DENV was found higher during August to November 2016 ranging from 10.75 to 20.83. The average yearly MIR was about 6.64. Higher MIR for Ae. aegypti was found in Sarfabad, Noida (12.71) and Khoda Colony, Ghaziabad (11.90). Minimum MIR (4.67) was observed in Sanjay colony (Faridabad). The main contribution of this study resides in the development of a more suitable monitoring system for early detection of viral circulation and to prioritize early intervention in the non-transmission season.