Ectoparasite of Rodents Collected from International Seaport, Gujarat (India) with Special Reference to Plague & Scrub Typhus

Background: Rodents are well established at port areas and their arthropod ectoparasite can be vectors of many diseases. Ships play an important role in spreading disease by transporting infected vectors. Objective:  In  view  of  the  seriousness  of  the  problem  the  present  study  was  undertaken  to  assess  the  prevalence of rodent–ectoparasite association at KPT, Kandla (India). Results: Four species of rodents:Tatera indica(Hardwicke), Bandicota indica(Bechstein),Rattus norvegicus(Berkenhout), Rattus rattus (Linnaeus)were trapped from the port area. Rodent Infestation rate was 84.9 per cent. Lice (46.5%) were the predominant ectoparasites retrieved from the rodents followed by mites and fleas. The rodent ectoparasite index was 13.6 per rat. A total of 32 vector larval trombiculid chigger mite (Leptotrombidium deliense, Walch) were collected from various species of rats. Chigger infestation rate was found to be 8.0 per rat. A total of 96% chigger mites were retrieved from R. norvagicus trapped from canteen area. A total 234 fleas were retrieved giving an overall flea index of 2.5 per rat. The flea species collected from rodents were Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild)and X. astia (Rothschild). Serological & bacteriological examination of rodent samples showed no Orentia and plague bacilli activity. Conclusion: Result of the study suggests routine surveillance for rodent and their arthropods ectoparasite to apply appropriate control measure to prevent the spreading of rodent borne diseases.