Collection of Aedes mosquito using Malaysian Mosquito Autocidal Trap (MyMAT) in dengue endemic locality, Jalan Setia Taman Ayer Keroh Heights, Melaka.

Introduction The use of mosquito trap has been implemented in countries such as Australia, Brazil and Puerto Rico for surveillance or supplementary dengue control activity. Several type of mosquito traps used for this purpose are MosquiTrap, CDC Autocidal Gravid Trap and sticky ovitrap.

Materials and Methods In this study, Malaysian Mosquito Autocidal Trap or MyMAT was used to measure monthly Aedes mosquito collection and identify the dominant Aedes species in Jalan Setia Taman Ayer Keroh Heights, Melaka.Aedes mosquito trapped on sticky plastic when performing oviposition inside MyMAT. A total of 435 MyMAT or three traps per house were set-up for 8 months duration from April 2016 to November 2016. Traps were collected on monthly basis and total mosquitoes trapped were calculated and identified using stereo microscope.

Results Mean adult female Aedes mosquito collected per month was 1122.25 ± 88.86 with the highest collection observed in the month of August (1672 mosquitoes collected). Both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were found in this locality with Ae. aegypti being the dominant species with a total of 6960 (77.52%) mosquitoes collected compared to Ae. albopictus, 2018 (22.48%). During the study period, four dengue cases were reported compared to 37 cases reported in the previous year, or a reduction of 89.19% cases were observed. However, further studies need to be performed to verify the reduction of dengue cases was due to the set-up the of mosquito trap or other contributing factors.

Conclusion This large-scale mosquito trapping technique should be further explored to help in reducing mosquito population especially in dengue endemic localities.