Which statement correctly describes a characteristic feature of Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue?
- A It bites predominantly during night hours and rests outdoors
- B It bites during daytime and prefers clean stagnant water in man-made containers for breeding ✓
- C It prefers breeding in polluted stagnant drains and cesspools
- D It has a flight range of several kilometres enabling wide spread
Correct answer: B. It bites during daytime and prefers clean stagnant water in man-made containers for breeding
Explanation
Aedes aegypti is a day-biting mosquito, with peak biting in the early morning and late afternoon, and it breeds preferentially in clean stagnant water held in man-made containers such as tyres, coolers, flower vases and storage drums. This explains why source reduction targets household containers rather than drainage. Culex breeds in polluted water, and Aedes has a limited flight range of roughly 100 metres, making container-level control highly effective.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.