Which is the main vector responsible for the transmission of dengue fever?

Raj. CHO -2025

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2025

Explanation

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted primarily by the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
This mosquito, often called the 'tiger mosquito' due to its black and white stripes, is a daytime biter.
It breeds in artificial collections of clean, stagnant water in and around human homes, making urban and semi-urban areas high-risk zones.
Infection with one of the four dengue virus serotypes provides lifelong immunity to that specific serotype but only temporary cross-immunity to the others.

Option B: Rats are not vectors for dengue. They are primarily associated with diseases like plague (transmitted by their fleas) and leptospirosis.
Option C: Cockroaches are considered mechanical vectors, meaning they can carry pathogens on their bodies, but they are not the biological vector for the dengue virus.
Option D: The housefly is a mechanical vector for diseases like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery, spreading pathogens by contaminating food and surfaces, but it does not transmit the dengue virus.

Visual 1: Diagram - An image of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, highlighting its characteristic black and white striped markings on the legs and body.
Visual 2: Infographic - Common breeding sites for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes around a typical house (e.g., flower pots, old tires, water coolers, pet water bowls) to illustrate prevention strategies.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vector-borne disease transmission, specifically for Dengue fever as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying the correct vector is the cornerstone of public health strategies for controlling dengue outbreaks. All efforts are focused on eliminating mosquito breeding sites ('source reduction').
Nurses are at the forefront of patient and community education regarding preventive measures, such as using mosquito repellents (like DEET), wearing protective clothing, and keeping surroundings free of stagnant water.
In a clinical setting, a patient's travel history and exposure to mosquito-prone areas are critical pieces of information for diagnosing febrile illnesses like dengue.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question common in Community Health Nursing.
First, identify the keywords in the question stem: 'main vector' and 'dengue fever'.
Access your knowledge base on common vector-borne diseases and their specific transmitting agents.
Evaluate each option systematically. Aedes aegypti is the well-known primary vector for dengue.
Rule out the other options by recalling the diseases they are associated with: Rats (plague, leptospirosis), Houseflies (typhoid, dysentery), and Cockroaches (mechanical transmission of bacteria).
Confirm your choice by selecting the option that correctly links the disease (dengue) with its primary biological vector.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Vector-borne disease transmission, specifically for Dengue fever.
Stem keywords: vector, transmission, dengue fever
Lead-in keywords: main
Negative lead-in flag: false

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