New Aedes mosquito triggers Dengue surveillance in Bengal

Kolkata: West Bengal Health Department has stepped up surveillance after identifying a new species of Aedes mosquito in the state. State Health minister Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee said Aedes lineatopennis, a species belonging to the Aedes genus, has been detected in West Bengal for the first time.Until now, Aedes aegypti has been regarded as the primary vector responsible for transmitting dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya. The newly identified species, Aedes lineatopennis, is found in several parts of Asia and Africa, including India, but has now been recorded in West Bengal as well. The minister said entomologists in the Health Department have intensified surveillance following the discovery, and an expert team is studying the species and its potential public health implications. Mukherjee said the presence of another Aedes species capable of transmitting disease could increase the risk of dengue outbreaks in the future. However, he stressed that the Health Department is closely monitoring the situation and there is no immediate cause for alarm. The state has so far reported six dengue cases till the end of July. The minister said details of all cases have been uploaded in the national surveillance portal. Regular review meetings are being held at the state level under his leadership, with the next meeting scheduled for August 17. Monthly review meetings are also being conducted at the district level under District Magistrates and at the block level under Block Development Officers to monitor the dengue situation. Meanwhile, entomologists urged caution against drawing premature conclusions about the newly identified mosquito. They said Aedes lineatopennis is already known to occur in Odisha and Patna, as well as in Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia and several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The species typically breeds in rainwater-filled ground depressions, marshy areas, grassy lowlands and temporary pools formed after flooding. It is most active around dusk, though limited biting activity may also occur shortly before sunrise. The mosquito feeds on humans, other mammals and birds. Experts noted that Aedes lineatopennis is recognised as a secondary vector of the Rift Valley fever virus in Africa. However, there is currently no scientific evidence from India linking the species to the transmission of dengue, Zika or chikungunya.