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Distribution and Susceptibility of Xenopsylla astia to DDT in Maharashtra State, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

D. M. Renapurkar
Affiliation:
Department of Zoonosis, Haffkine Institute, Parel, Bombay 400 012
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Abstract

Xenopsylla astia, the indigenous commensal rat flea has been replaced by X. cheopis in many parts of India to a large extent. As a result of this replacement or suppression serious outbreaks of plague had occurred in the country in the earlier part of the century. The introduction of DDT for malaria control programme, as a collaboral benefit, has also served to control plague in the country. This has also encouraged DDT resistance in fleas. In the present paper the distribution of X. astia in the state of Maharashtra is discussed along with its susceptibility status to DDT. The distribution of this flea now appears to be patchy, being restricted to very few areas. The flea demonstrates high degree of resistance to DDT.

Résumé

Xenopsylla astia, la puce des rats commensaux indiens a été remplacée par X. cheopis en beaucoup d'endroits. Cela s'est traduit par de nombreuses éruptions de peste dans le pays au debut du siècle. L'introduction du DDT a permis le controle de la peste, mais a également induit tant la résistance des puces aux insecticides qu'un changement dans la repartition des puces des rongeurs commensaux.

Cette publication discute la distribution de X. astia dans l'état du Maharashtra ainsi que sa susceptibilite aux insecticides. La repartition de cette puce apparait maintenant inégale, étant limitée a quelques rares endroits. La puce montre un haut degré de résistance au DDT.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1988

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References

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