The container index (CI) in Aedes surveillance measures the percentage of water-holding containers positive for Aedes larvae. A CI of 25% in an urban area indicates:

• A 25% of the population is at risk of dengue
• B 25% of inspected containers have Aedes larvae — high dengue transmission risk ✓
• C 25 Aedes larvae per container on average
• D The vector density is below the epidemic threshold

Explanation

Container Index (CI) = (Number of containers with Aedes larvae or pupae / Number of containers inspected) × 100. CI of 25% means 25% of containers are positive for Aedes breeding, which is very high and indicates significant dengue transmission risk. The Breteau Index (BI = positive containers per 100 houses inspected) is considered more informative than CI alone. A BI >5 or a CI >10% generally indicates a high-risk situation warranting intensified vector control. CI does not directly measure population risk or larval density per container.

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.