TITLE:
Ecology, Distribution and Risk of Transmission of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers by Aedes Mosquitoes around the Port Areas of Tema in Southern Ghana
AUTHORS:
Kenechukwu C. Ojukwu, Joseph Chabi, Kwadwo Frempong, Delphina A. Adabie-Gomez, Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei, Andy Asafu-Adjaye, Sellase Pi-Bansa, Michelle Adimazoya, Kojo Y. Sakyi, Kwaku O. Akuoko, Ruth Brenyah, Maxwell A. Appawu, Samuel Kweku Dadzie
KEYWORDS:
Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, Tema Port Areas, Aedes, Risk of Transmission
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Entomology,
Vol.10 No.2,
February
14,
2022
ABSTRACT: Aedes-borne diseases remain a public health challenge for many countries
globally. The extent of spread of invasive species of Aedes mosquitoes
and risk of transmission of the diseases especially around the point of entry
of goods such as ports is not well known in Ghana. This study investigated the
ecology, distribution and risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fevers by Aedes mosquitoes around the port areas of Tema, Southern Ghana. The mosquitoes from
this study were collected using human landing catches, ovitraps and larval
collections for a period of six months. A total of 1092 containers were
inspected in both seasons and of these, 237 (21.7%) were positive for mosquito
larvae or pupae in rainy season while 181 (16.6%) were positive in dry season.
A total of 6498 mosquitoes were collected and identified morphologically using
taxonomic keys. 6038 (92.9%) were Aedes aegypti, 337 (5.2%) were Culex spp. and 123 (1.9%) were Anopheles gambiae. The Ae. aegypti larvae were found breeding in a series of water-holding containers which
included disposed plastic containers, earthenware pots, car tyres, plastic
barrels, plastic basins, buckets, metal drums, jerrycans and poly tank. A high proportion of Aedes aegypti eggs
were found in the ovitraps during the rainy
season than in the dry season in the study sites. Ae. aegypti was the most
common mosquitoes biting mostly outdoors (65.6%) with more bites occurring in
the rainy season (63.6%) in the two residential sites (Tema Community One and
Tema New Town). The risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fever in the
study sites was assessed using House Index, Container Index, Breteau Index and
was found to be higher in Tema New town area with seasonal variations within the
sites. The man-vector contact rates for the two residential sites were also
found to be higher in rainy season than the dry season. These observations
indicate that the risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fevers in the
study areas is high especially in the rainy season. The implications of the
findings in the formulation of future vector control programmes around the port
areas in the country are discussed in the paper.