Bengaluru Launches Innovative Ovitrap Project to Combat Dengue Outbreaks

Bengaluru: In response to the alarming rise in dengue cases, with Karnataka reporting approximately 24,028 cases and five related deaths, the state’s health department has introduced a pioneering initiative. On August 26, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated a pilot project involving the installation of Ovitrap baskets at Gopalapura in the Gandhinagar Assembly constituency. This new approach aims to enhance dengue control efforts through early detection and monitoring.

Ovitrap baskets are designed to attract and trap mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are primary vectors for dengue fever. These specialized devices consist of a dark container filled with water and a substrate for egg-laying, with a mesh that prevents adult mosquitoes from escaping once inside. By collecting mosquito eggs, these traps help identify breeding hotspots and allow for targeted vector control measures. Some ovitrap designs also incorporate insecticides to kill mosquitoes and larvae, further aiding in population control.

Studies have shown that ovitraps can significantly reduce mosquito populations. For instance, copper-treated ovitraps have been effective in eliminating larvae in Indonesia, while lethal ovitraps in Taiwan and the Philippines have contributed to substantial reductions in dengue cases. In the United States, such traps have successfully decreased mosquito biting pressure.

India has also adopted ovitraps, particularly in Assam, where they are used to monitor dengue vector populations and inform targeted control strategies. The recent introduction of this method in Bengaluru represents a proactive step in the state’s fight against dengue, leveraging innovative technology to protect public health.

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