Breteau Index threshold levels indicating risk for dengue transmission in areas with low Aedes infestation

Trop Med Int Health. 2010 Feb;15(2):173-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2009.02437.x.

Abstract

We used Breteau Indices to - retrospectively - predict dengue transmission. The presence of one house block (on average about 50 houses) with a Breteau Index >or=4 in a neighbourhood (a block plus the surrounding blocks in a radius of 100 m) predicted transmission at the latter level with 81.8% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity during the first month of the Havana 2001 dengue outbreak. This result corroborates the external validity of this threshold, at least in situations with low infestations levels.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes*
  • Animals
  • Cuba / epidemiology
  • Dengue / epidemiology
  • Dengue / prevention & control
  • Dengue / transmission*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Housing / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors*
  • Mosquito Control