Background: Widespread flash
flooding affected large parts of Iran, especially Lorestan province in April 2019. After the heavy rainfall and thunder, Tireh and Sezar rivers in Doroud county, have burst their banks and about 49 landslides have happened in the county. Floods can increase the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, west Nile virus (WNV) and dengue fever. More than four weeks after flood disasters standing water could act as the breeding sites for mosquitos. Therefore vector borne diseases have long-term impacts on public health.Objectives: This study was done to obtain the data about the effects of widespread flash
flooding on mosquitoes abundant in Dorud County in Lorestan Province, western IranMaterials and Methods: Larvae of Culicidae mosquitoes were collected at three fixed and five variable stations sites in Doroud area, Lorestan province, western
Iran before and after flooding. Mosquito’s larvae were collected using pipetting and dipping techniques.Results: Before flooding, eight species were collected and were morphologically identified including; An.dthali (0.036%), An stephensi (2.02%), Cx.mimiticus (0.036%), Cx.modestus (0.14%), Cx.perexiguus (28.87%), Cx.pipiens (35.64%), Cx.theileri (30.84%), Cs.longiareolata (2.40%). Cx pipiens was found dominant species followed by Cx theileri and Cx.perexiguus. Entmological surveillance, four months post
flooding showed that Cx pipiens as the predominant species was collected from natural and artificial larval habitats such as hollow pipes, sewage, stagnant water, house ponds, sewage wells and toilet field, also An dthali, Cx.mimeticus, and Cx modestus were not found. After
flooding Cx. theileri is found in a wide range of breeding sites such as streams, irrigation ditches, swamps, different pools, springs, disused wells, open cisterns, and seepage water, small ponds, grassy ponds, rice fields, and agriculture water-storage pools. Anopheles superpictus larvae had been reported previously in permanent, stagnant, with clay substrate, transparent water, semi shade, natural with vegetation habitat. , We couldn t found this species after
flooding in this study.Conclusion: It is the first formal entomological research which defines the effects of flash
flooding on mosquito s larvae in Doroud County. Entomological surveillance before, during and after floods need to take place to decrease the risk of vector borne diseases. After flooding, a rapid risk assessment must be performed and data should be collected from
flooding areas, mosquitoes density and nuisance, population movement and the important vector borne diseases threats for identification of adequate vector control interventions.