Culex quinquefasciatus With the Highest MHD as a Potential Filariasis Vector in Demak, Central Java, Indonesia, a Filariasis Endemic Area

Abstract

Filariasis is a communicable disease caused by nematode worms and transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes permanent elephantiasis which decreases productivity and carries a stigma. Filariasis becomes one of the health problems in Indonesia. The filariasis elimination program through preventive mass drug administration has been carried out for 5 years, but transmission remains. The distribution, ecology, and biology of vector mosquitoes as well as their potential to spread filariasis vary widely. Therefore, it is important to identify the entomological aspects of vectors in the distribution of filariasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of mosquitoes, which have the potential to become vectors of filariasis transmission in endemic areas. The research was conducted in two villages in Demak Regency, Central Java Province, in April 2019 through the Human Landing Collection method for 12 hours, starting from 18.00 until 06.00. Mosquitoes were dissected under dissection microscope, and the presence of filarial larvae was observed. Six mosquito species were obtained, namely Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. sitiens, Ae. Aegypti, and Man. Indiana. The highest density was found in Cx. quinquefasciatus. The man hour density (MHD) of Cx. quinquefasciatus ranged 3,000-8,667 mosquitoes/person/hour. There were no filarial larvae found in this study.