Assessment of the Potential Outbreak of Aedes-Borne Diseases During the Covid-19 Restriction Period in Cape Coast

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat worldwide. This study focused on assessing the risk of Aedes-borne disease outbreaks during the Covid-19 restriction period based on entomological indices and investigating the contributing factors, with a particular emphasis on the role of artificial containers as breeding sites. A household larval survey was conducted in a small community called Duakor in Cape Coast, evaluating three larval indices (Container, House, and Breteau Index). Mosquito larvae collected from containers were reared and tested for insecticide resistance against four commonly used insecticides which were Deltamethrin (0.05%), DDT (4%), Fenitrothion (0.1%) and Bendiocarb (0.1%). The findings indicated that the risk of Aedes-related disease outbreaks during the Covid-19 restriction period was significantly lower compared to a previous assessment in 2017 (Breteau Index = 2.02, House Index =34%, and Container Index =22.5%). The sampled Aedes aegypti population showed resistance to all four tested insecticides, and the study reported the detection of a novel V410L kdr mutation in Ghana, in addition to the previously known F1534C and V1016I mutations in Ae. aegypti population in the country. The lower risk observed during the restriction period was attributed to frequent community clean-up exercises, aligning with the notion that sanitation improvement plays a crucial role in controlling Aedes aegypti. Given the emergence of multiple insecticide resistance, the study emphasizes the need to encourage non-insecticide-based control tools such as sanitation improvement and proper water storage practices.