Letters From Turkey 4 ~ Field research in the Black Sea coast 2024 Sep.~

Republic of Türkiye

The setting for this survey was the Black Sea coast in northeastern Turkey. We collected mosquitoes that carry dengue fever and West Nile fever in this area. Although Turkey has a dry image, this area has relatively high rainfall and is a lush area where tea is grown. We looked for puddles where mosquito larvae (mosquito larva) were developing, and collected the larvae using a device like a ladle or syringe (pipette). During the five-day survey period, we collected them at 43 locations.

In the light rain, we collected mosquito larvae (mosquito maggots) with researchers from the Turkish Ministry of Health.
Old tires, which tend to retain rainwater for long periods of time, provide an ideal habitat for mosquito larvae．
Dr. Itokawa is fully prepared. They can suck out the mosquitoes they have collected at any time !
For us, a pile of old tires is a treasure trove. We continue to search diligently for the target mosquito larvae.
Dr. Yang (left) and Dr. Higa (right) transfer the collected mosquito larvae to a plastic container.
Dr. Sanjoba (Leader of the research team) explains the survey to the local people, showing them the mosquito larvae.
Dr. Sanjoba (center) holds a strategy meeting with Ministry of Health officials．
We won’t miss a treasure (old tires) buried in a pile of trash!
Dr.Yang (left) and the author (right).
The sunset over the Black Sea soothes the mind and body after a long day of research.

（Dr. Shinji KASAI National Institute of Infectious Disease, Department of Medical Entomology Department Manager）