08 Eyl 2024 Pazar
Mosquito vectors and their epidemiological implications in the vicinities of Osun State University Main Campus, Osogbo, Nigeria
Abstract :Mosquitoes
are vectors of deadly and debilitating diseases. Proper understanding of the
distribution and bionomics of these insects plays an important role in planning
effective control measures. The present study was therefore conducted to
provide information on larval habitats and species composition of mosquito
vectors within the vicinities of Osun State University Main Campus, Osogbo,
Nigeria. Larval sampling within the campus and adult collections from selected
ten students’ hostels were carried out in the wet season over three years
(2015-2017) using standard entomological protocols. Five
species of mosquitoes namely, Aedes
aegypti, Ae. vittatus, Eretmapodite chrystogaster, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles gambiae sensu lato were found either singly or in sympatry at the breeding
sites. Three hundred and twenty six (326) endophagic mosquitoes were collected
at the selected hostels during the study period. Of these, 177(53.8%) were C.
quinquefasciatus while Ae. aegypti
64(20.4%), Mansonia africana 41(12.5%),
An. gambiae s.l 31(9.4%) and Coquillettidia
maculipennis 13(3.95%) constituted
the rest of mosquitoes collected. The population of C. quinquefasciatus was statistically higher than other mosquitoes
(p<0.05) but the differences in abundance among other species were not
statistically significant (p>0.05). The mosquito abundance increased as wet
season progressed but the differences in monthly collection were not
significant (p>0.05). The mosquitoes collected are known vectors of dengue
fever, malaria, yellow fever and bancroftian filariasis (elephantiasis), of
which the high prevalence of these diseases have been reported in Osogbo
metropolis or its adjoining communities. There is therefore need for the management of Osun State University to
institute periodic public health education for the students on various mosquito
control and preventive measures in order to reduce the risks of mosquito-borne
diseases in the study area
Mosquitoes, larvae,
diseases,
epidemiology, Osogbo