ENTOMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF AN OUTBREAK OF JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS IN THREE DISTRICTS OF CHHATTISGARH, INDIA IN THE YEAR 2017

Background : Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious Zoonotic Vector Borne infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) of family Flaviviridae .Many outbreaks have been occurred in many parts of Southeast Asia including India. An outbreak of JE was occurred in three districts of Chhattisgarh during the year 2017. Objectives: The purpose of this study To review and assess the situation of dengue outbreak in Durg district and conduct and entomological survey in all the the JE affected areas. Methods: The Entomological study was carried out during December 2017three districts namely Dantewada, Bastar and Sukma in Gorakhpur of Chhattisgarh. A total of 12 JE cases repoted from these districts. Larval collection was done and per dip density was calculated and for adult collection PMHD was calculated. Results: During the outbreak investigation 9 different types of mosquito breeding were detected in all the affected areas. Highest breeding was detected in Fallow fields (36.59 %) followed by Drains (32.14 %), Percent river bed pool (28.57%), paddy fields (19.35 %), Mud pools (6.25 %), Hoof prints (3.5%). The various Culex species collected by hand catch method included, Cx. quinquefasciatus Cx. vishnui Cx. pseudovishnui Cx. Tritaeniorhynchus. Interpretation & Conclusion: The findings showed that scattered cases of JE and most of the cases under age of 0-15 years old, facilitated by different species of Culex in the affected areas. JE is a vaccine-preventable disease, so an immunization may be done and an appropriate vector control strategy and application of standard hygiene practices in these affected areas could be a result in reduction in morbidity and mortality due to JE virus.