Which bionomic characteristic of Aedes aegypti most directly justifies source reduction as the core dengue control strategy?
- A It bites predominantly during evening and night hours outdoors
- B Its larvae prefer polluted drains and septic overflows
- C It breeds in clean, stagnant water stored in man-made containers in and around houses ✓
- D It has a flight range extending several kilometres from the breeding site
Correct answer: C. It breeds in clean, stagnant water stored in man-made containers in and around houses
Explanation
Aedes aegypti is a domestic container breeder, laying eggs in clean stored water in pots, tyres, coolers and cisterns close to human habitation. Because its flight range is short, roughly 50 to 100 metres, emptying and scrubbing these containers weekly breaks transmission locally. Culex breeds in polluted water and bites at night, while Anopheles prefers natural or rural water bodies, so drain cleaning and bed nets do little against dengue.
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.