145;Current strain has moderate viral load145;

The rationale is to start early next year. Experts said the situation could have been much worse if a particular type of the dengue virus was prevalent this year.

With breeding inspectors on strike, record rainfall and uncontrolled mosquito breeding, a moderate viral load of the prevalent Type 1 strain in mosquitoes is the only silver lining for the MCD.

During the 2006 outbreak, it was the Type 2 and 3 strains that were prevalent in the Capital.

The MCD had approached the DRDE last month to assess the viral load through tests on samples of mosquitoes taken from Delhi. 8220;We had taken a few mosquitoes from different areas in the Capital to Gwalior. It is important to know the viral load because, sometimes, the mosquito population is high but the viral load is low and sometimes even a few mosquitoes with a high viral load can cause a dengue outbreak. We wanted to be sure,8221; Monga said.

We now have an accurate idea of the breeding index in different areas of the city. Reports have shown the mosquitoes have a moderate viral load,8221; he added.

The MCD had asked for the OVI traps, with the intention of controlling mosquito breeding in areas with high-density breeding. The traps work on a simple principle. They contain a chemical that lures mosquitoes and creates a false sense of security in the female mosquito, inducing it to lay eggs in the trap. The trap uses an 8220;attracticide8221;, a mixture of biological chemicals that attracts female mosquitoes to the breeding site. The Insect Growth Regulator IGR then prevents these eggs from hatching.

The method is effective because the regulator not only prevents hatching but even if some eggs do hatch, the larvae cannot attain adulthood and therefore cannot spread disease.