Evaluation of Monitoring of Aedes aegypti Infestation Using the Ovitrampas Method in The City of Toritama – Pernambuco, Facing Covid-19

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the monitoring of Aedes aegypti infestation using the ovitrap method in the city of Toritama – Pernambuco, in the face of COVID-19. Theoretical Framework: Vector monitoring is extremely important for epidemic control. The most used method in Brazil is the Rapid Index Survey for A. aegypti (LIRAa). Among the existing traps for monitoring A. aegypti, the ovitrap is the most used. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the maintenance of cases of arboviruses in the epidemiological bulletins of this period, it became necessary to emphasize care with arboviruses, highlighting the similarity of symptoms, complications and underreporting, as highly relevant factors. Method: The research was carried out in the city of Toritama, a municipality located in the countryside of Pernambuco, Brazil, from June 2022 to May 2023. 11 ovitraps were installed in the Center neighborhood of the city. Unstructured interviews, semi-structured observations and meteorological data collection were also carried out. The IDO and IPO were tested using Pearson's correlation. Epidemiological data were obtained from the Epidemiological Bulletins of the Ministry of Health and the Toritama-PE City Hall website. Results and Discussion: High IPO and IDO values ​​obtained, in contrast to the low record of arbovirus cases in the municipality of Toritama, during the pandemic period studied, reinforces the need to pay attention to the similarities of COVID-19 symptoms. Research Implications: The research presents the study of monitoring Aedes aegypti infestation using the ovitrap method in the city of Toritama – Pernambuco, during the COVID-19 period. Originality/Value: The ovitrap method stands out for the more sensitive monitoring of Aedes aegypti and its importance in epidemic or pandemic situations.