Original reports
YANG Xiao-Bing, XU Yong, ZHAO Xin, HE Yuan-Yuan, CHENG De-Ming, ZHANG Hao, JIANG Jing
Chines Journal of Vector Biology and Control.
2010, 21(3):
204-207.
Objective The vectors variation trends before and after impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Yichang were monitored and analyzed for timely implementation of the countermeasures. Methods The indoor and outdoor rodent density, mosquito density in residential houses and livestock pens, and species composition of rodents and mosquitoes were determined using the night trap method and the labor hour method. Results No significant changes were observed in the rodent density after impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Yichang (t=0.52, P>0.05). The annual variation of the rodent density constituted a primary decline followed by an increase. As for the small mammal species composition, the indoor and outdoor dominant species before impoundment were Rattus norvegicus and those of the genus Sorex, accounting for 71.07% and 42.11%, respectively. The dominant species after impoundment, indoor and outdoor, were both R. tanezumi, accounting for 41.67% and 42.86%, respectively. The mosquito density in residential houses did not change significantly after impoundment (t=1.29, P>0.05), whereas the mosquito density in livestock pens increased significantly (t=5.01, P<0.01). In regard to the mosquito species composition, Anopheles sinensis and Culex pipiens pallens were the dominant species before impoundment in residential houses and livestock pens, respectively, accounting for 38.50% and 34.65%; Armigeres subalbatus and An. sinensis were the dominant species after impoundment, accounting for 37.21% and 23.18%, respectively. Conclusion The environmental changes due to impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Yichang had led to the alteration in rodent species composition, in addition to significantly increased mosquito density in livestock pens and altered mosquito species composition. It is suggested that vector monitoring should be strengthened to provide the decision?making basis for effective prevention and control of the occurrence and prevalence of vector?borne diseases.