Studies of the Ecology of Dengue in Malaysia: A Preliminary Report

A preliminary study of dengue ecology based on the hypothesis that dengue is a zoonoses was conducted in Malaya from 1962 to 1964. Over 2,300 wild and domestic animals representing over 55 species of more than 28 genera, and over 25,000 adult mosquitoes were collected from urban and forest areas. Although no dengue virus was isolated from animals and mosquitoes tested, high levels of dengueneutralizing antibody were demonstrated in the majority of forest monkeys. The serological results strongly suggest that dengue virus is active in forest areas of Malaya, although it is recognized that serological results alone are not conclusive proof. Competition between Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes and its possible relationship to dengue disease and hemorrhagic fever is discussed.