KOLKATA: A mosquito species that used to trigger dengue surges in Kolkata within the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties has returned.
Larvae of Aedes albopictus, a dengue virus provider, is being present in growing numbers within the metropolis this yr and is chargeable for most of the instances. The dominant dengue mosquito in Kolkata for a number of years has been the Aedes aegypti. The return of albopictus, subsequently, has entomologists and medical doctors puzzled and fearful.
Each mosquito sorts are vectors of dengue in addition to zika and chikungunya viruses. However, whereas aegypti prefers breeding in shut proximity to people and their houses, albopictus prefers bushes and rural areas. To a lay particular person, each would look the identical with white stripes on their legs and backs.
“Throughout our vector management drives, we discovered albopictus in some places, notably town’s added areas, the place now we have been struggling to scrub up rubbish from vacant land and deserted buildings,” a KMC well being division official mentioned.
In line with KMC entomologists, in the course of the Nineteen Fifties, albopictus was once present in bushes and deserted land. However KMC has discovered their breeding grounds in uncommon spots like deserted tyres alongside roads.
KMC chief entomologist Debasish Biswas mentioned the fear was the change in its breeding sample. “Way back, when Kolkata was a rising metropolis, albopictus used to breed in areas that have been away from coronary heart of town and fewer populated. These areas had loads of greenery and the albopictus would breed in tree trunks. This was the dominant pressure of dengue until late 50s and early 60s. Later, aedes aegypti changed it as main pressure. Now, we aren’t solely fearful about return of albopictus however its altering nature that’s making them breed in container-like substances,” mentioned Biswas.
Infections ailments specialist Yogiraj Ray, affiliate professor at IPGMER Kolkata, mentioned: “Each mosquitoes are vectors of dengue virus and can trigger the identical kind of an infection so far as the illness is anxious. The concern could possibly be any alteration in sample, diploma of unfold.”
