P-16 - Baseline Surveys of Household Containers: Identifying Aedes aegypti Larval Habitats in Iquitos, Peru

Abstract: Proyecto Tariki, a community mobilization initiative in Iquitos, Peru, applies implementation science to reduce Aedes mosquito larval habitats and combat dengue transmission. During baseline entomological assessments of 3001 containers, pupal demographic surveys identified container types contributing to Aedes aegypti production. Our findings reveal a significant difference in container usage and their contributions to immature mosquito production. Unlidded containers comprised 47.48% of all containers surveyed and accounted for 98.59% of the Ae. aegypti larvae and pupae detected.
Further investigations revealed that containers used for piped water, representing 81.57% of all containers, contribute to 31.19% of the detected larvae and pupae. Conversely, containers under roofs that actively collected rain-water represented only 4.07% of total containers yet accounted for 46.48% of larvae and pupae detected. Additionally, only 2.43% of all containers were unmanaged, indicating that the Ministry of Health’s messaging to protect or remove household containers and garbage has been effective. However, this small proportion of containers accounted for 17% of detected immature Ae. aegypti and highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce these habitats.
Overall, Ae. aegypti production patterns have changed significantly from published 15-year-old studies in the same city, demonstrating significant behavioral change among city residents. Household container surveys are essential for identifying high-producing container types, focusing public health messaging and vector control efforts. Understanding container-specific larval habitats enables more precise interventions and ensures vector control efforts effectively reduce the risk of dengue transmission.