title: Vertical dispersal of Aedes (Stegomyia) spp. in high-rise apartments in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
abstract: A preliminary study on the vertical dispersal of Aedes populations in high-rise apartments was carried out in Presint 9, Putrajaya, Malaysia. Ovitraps were placed indoors within four blocks of high-rise apartments from the ground floors (0.0 - 3.0 m) until up to the tenth floors (28.1 - 30.0 m). Aedes aegypti was the dominant species found in the ovitraps (87.85%), while Aedes albopictus was found in lower numbers. From total number of larvae collected (650), 40.92% of these larvae were obtained from the fourth block; Block D. The peak density of Aedes sp. was observed at level 6 (16.1 - 18.0 m), while Ae. aegypti was found until the tenth floor (28.1 - 30.0 m). In contrast, Ae. albopictus was found only up to the sixth floor (16.1 - 18.0 m). A poor correlation of the mean number of Aedes larvae collected with the level of high-rise apartments occupied (N=40; ρ=-0.349) was also observed which indicated the possibility of lesser Aedes populations to be found at higher level of high-rise apartments. Therefore, larger scale studies are strongly recommended to examine the vertical dispersal of Aedes mosquitoes.
authors.affiliation: Medical Entomology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. norafikah@imr.gov.my
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wan-Norafikah
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Nazni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noramiza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shafa'ar-Ko'ohar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azirol-Hisham
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nor-Hafizah
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sumarni
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohd-Hasrul
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sofian-Azirun
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D011156:Population Density