Measuring Aedes & Breteau Indices in Determining Dengue Outbreak; A Study in Kota Tinggi.

ABSTRACT Introduction               Dengue fever, the most known vector-borne disease in the tropical and subtropical regions has become major public health concern worldwide. Rapid urbanization, increased population movement and poor public hygienic lifestyle contributed to the proliferated of high incidence of dengue fever in urban and semi urban areas. With the increasing trend of dengue cases and deaths, methods of dengue surveillance should be reevaluated in predicting dengue outbreak. Objective                    This study aimed to determine association between Aedes Index and Breteau Index with dengue outbreak in the district of Kota Tinggi, Johor. Result                         Total of 593 dengue cases in 2015 collected from Kota Tinggi Health Office. The study found that although there were significant association between Aedes Index and Breteau Index with localities (p< 0.001), the Aedes Index sensitivity level of 29.3%  , specificity level of 44.2% and  Breteau Index of 12% sensitivity and 81.5% specificity showed that the indices were not the most accurate and sensitive as the tools of dengue surveillance in determining dengue outbreak. Conclusion                 As dengue disease remains a major endemic in Malaysia, better surveillance index should be reconsider as the main surveillance for dengue disease.