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Abstract Dengue virus has now become a serious threat to humans. As yet no vaccine and proper treatment is available for dengue virus so control of vector is the only option left to control dengue infection. Aedes mosquitoes are well known vectors for this virus but some studies show that dengue virus can also survive in Culex mosquitoes. A total of 370 adult Aedes (n=166) and Culex (n=204) mosquitoes were collected from selected localities of Urban Lahore. Total five pools of mosquitoes were found positive for dengue serotype2. There is need to conduct detailed studies to establish the vectorial role of Culex for dengue virus.
Key words: Dengue virus Culex Aedes.
During the last few decades dengue virus infection has become a serious health hazard. It is considered that more than two-fifth population of world is at the risk of dengue infection mostly those living in the tropics and sub-tropics (WHO 2011). The vector of dengue unfortunately has become resistant to different chemicals (Ranson et al. 2008). To establish a strategic control for mosquitoes the biology and ecology of vectors must be well known (Sangaralingam et al. 2011). Female mosquito in a few number can cause an outbreak in an over populated area (Chia-Hsien and Wen 2011). The dengue virus is likely to extend due to urbanization and intensive migration of people and expanded infestation of Aedes mosquito which is the principle vector of dengue infection (Gubler 1998). Culex mosquitoes are also known to carry different flaviviruses which are transferred to humans (Bolling et al. 2011; Hoshino et al. 2007) but there is no report of their involvement in dengue. Aedes prefer to breed indoor or peridomestic areas near humans but Culex mosquitoes can also breed far away from human population. Four serotypes of dengue virus are known which cause dengue fever (DF) more complicated dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and in some cases dengue shock syndrome (DSS) (Tao et al. 2012). Dengue virus can survive in their hosts because of diversity and can adapt to new environment easily (new host or vector) (Forrester et al. 2012). Usually dengue control programmes are initiated when dengue cases are reported but this is too late as dengue virus once introduced into a population by mosquitoes then it becomes...