Abstract
The present study was to determine the vertical distribution and abundance of Aedes mosquitoes in high rise apartment in Selangor State and Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Malaysia. Ovitrap surveillance was conducted for 4 continuous weeks in multiple storey buildings in 4 residential areas located in Selangor [Kg. Baiduri (KB)] and Kuala Lumpur[Student Hostel of University of Malaya (UM), Vista Angkasa (VA) and Hang Tuah (HT)]. The results implied that Aedes mosquitoes could be found from ground floor to highest floor of multiple storey buildings and data from different elevation did not show significant different. Ovitrap index for UM, KB, HT and VA ranged from 8.70—14.81%, 8.33—36.84%, 34.21—51.52% and 21.67—69.09%, respectively. Aedes aegypti and Ae.albopictus were found breeding in HT, VA and KB; while only Ae.albopictus was obtained from UM. This study suggests that the invasion of Aedes mosquitoes in high-rise apartments could enhance the transmission of dengue virus and approach on vector control in this type of residential areas should be developed.
