A comparative study of dengue virus vectors in major parks and adjacent residential areas in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Published in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases 2022-01, Vol.16 (1), p.e0010119-e0010119
• Main Authors: Huynh, Trang Thi Thuy, Minakawa, Noboru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aedes; Aedes - growth & development; Aedes - virology; Aedes albopictus; Analysis; Animals; Aquatic insects; Biology and Life Sciences; Cities; Comparative analysis; Comparative studies; Containers; Control programs; Culicidae; Dengue; Dengue - epidemiology; Dengue - transmission; Dengue fever; Dengue Virus; Dengue viruses; Density; Diagnosis; Disease transmission; Earth Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Ecosystem; Epidemics; Genetic aspects; Genetic vectors; Habitats; Health risks; Human diseases; Humans; Hypotheses; Infections; Larva; Larvae; Medicine and Health Sciences; Metropolitan areas; Mosquito Vectors - virology; Mosquitoes; Neighborhoods; Parks; Parks & recreation areas; Parks, Recreational - statistics & numerical data; Population Density; Residential areas; Rural areas; Safety and security measures; Social Sciences; Statistical analysis; Transmission; Tropical diseases; Urban areas; Urban populations; Vector-borne diseases; Vectors; Vegetation; Vietnam - epidemiology; Viruses
• ISSN: 1935-2735; 1935-2727; 1935-2735
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010119

The primary dengue virus vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are primarily daytime biting mosquitoes. The risk of infection is suspected to be considerable in urban parks due to visitor traffic. Despite the importance of vector control for reducing dengue transmission, little information is available on vector populations in urban parks. The present study characterized mosquito habitats and estimated vector densities in the major urban parks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and compared them with those in adjacent residential areas. The prevalences of habitats where Aedes larvae were found were 43% and 9% for the parks and residential areas, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (prevalence ratio [PR]: 5.00, 95% CI: 3.85-6.49). The prevalences of positive larval habitats were significantly greater in the parks for both species than the residential areas (PR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04-2.22 for A. aegypti, PR: 10.10, 95% CI: 7.23-14.12 for A. albopictus). Larvae of both species were positively associated with discarded containers and planters. Aedes albopictus larvae were negatively associated with indoor habitats, but positively associated with vegetation shade. The adult density of A. aegypti was significantly less in the parks compared with the residential areas (rate ratio [RR]; 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05-0.16), while the density of A. albopictus was significantly higher in the parks (RR: 9.99, 95% CI: 6.85-14.59). When the species were combined, the density was significantly higher in the parks (RR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.92-3.25). The urban parks provide suitable environment for Aedes mosquitoes, and A. albopictus in particular. Virus vectors are abundant in the urban parks, and the current vector control programs need to have greater consideration of urban parks.