Enthusiastic children of Atoifi hospital staff have helped members of the Atoifi Health Research Group to conduct a simple mosquito larva survey around the Atoifi hospital campus. Last week, these young ‘researchers’ ran all over the Atoifi campus to find mosquito larvae in old containers, pot plants, coconut shells, and tanks. The mosquito larva were then collected by research team members into a secure bottle.

Why collect mosquito larvae? Over the past few months several thousand people across Solomon Islands have become sick with dengue fever. Mosquitoes pass the dengue virus from one person to another, but it is only a few types of mosquitoes that can pass the dengue virus between people. Because of this, it is important to know what types of mosquitoes live in different places to help know who might be at risk of dengue.

The mosquito larvae have been sent to the Vector Born Disease laboratory in the Ministry of Health and Medical Service in Honiara for further examination. We are looking forward to the results to find out if the special mosquito that can pass dengue is present on the Atoifi hospital campus. Stay tuned!

For more information about the dengue work at Atoifi Hospital, please email: humpress.harrington[at]gmail.com