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Detection of Dengue Virus from Field-Caught Adult Aedes Albopictus in
Seberang Takir, Kuala Terengganu
Nasihah Al- Sakinah Binti Nazarrusman
Supervisor: Dr. Suzana Binti Misbah
Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
School of Fundamental Science
Dengue is a major public health concern worldwide. Dengue, caused by dengue virus
(DENV) is an arthropod-borne viral disease that can be transmitted to human through
the bites of infected Aedes species. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of
DENV in adult Aedes albopictus and to determine the minimum infection rate (MIR) of
mosquitoes. Adult mosquitoes were collected using Human Landing Catches (HLC)
from Seberang Takir, an area of high dengue cases. A total of 336 Ae. albopictus
females and 53 males were collected from November 2017 until February 2018. DENV
was screened from the mosquitoes using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR). Results showed that all mosquitoes were negative for DENV with
the MIR value is zero. This indicates that Seberang Takir has a minimum to no risk of
dengue transmission through adult mosquitoes. This study highlights the importance
of mosquito surveillance for prediction of DENV transmission.
349 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2018