Data from: Risk of exposure to potential vector mosquitoes for rural workers in Northern Lao PDR

Background: One major consequence of economic development in South-East
Asia has been a rapid expansion of rubber plantations, in which outbreaks
of dengue and malaria have occurred. Here we explored the difference in
risk of exposure to potential dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and
malaria vectors between rubber workers and those engaged in traditional
forest activities in northern Laos PDR. Methodology/Principal findings:
Adult mosquitoes were collected for nine months in secondary forests,
mature and immature rubber plantations, and villages. Human behavior data
were collected using rapid participatory rural appraisals and surveys.
Exposure risk was assessed by combining vector and human behavior and
calculating the basic reproduction number (R0) in different typologies.
Compared to those that stayed in the village, the risk of dengue vector
exposure was higher for those that visited the secondary forests during
the day (odds ratio (OR) 36.0), for those living and working in rubber
plantations (OR 16.2) and for those that tapped rubber (OR 3.2). Exposure
to JE vectors was also higher in the forest (OR 1.4) and, similar when
working (OR 1.0) and living in the plantations (OR 0.8). Exposure to
malaria vectors was greater in the forest (OR 1.3), similar when working
in the plantations (OR 0.9) and lower when living in the plantations (OR
0.6). R0 for dengue was >2.8 for all habitats surveyed, except
villages where R0≤0.06. The main malaria vector in all habitats was
Anopheles maculatus s.l. in the rainy season and An. minimus s.l. in the
dry season. Conclusions/Significance: The highest risk of exposure to
vector mosquitoes occurred when people visit natural forests. However,
since rubber workers spend long periods in the rubber plantations, their
risk of exposure is increased greatly compared to those who temporarily
enter natural forests or remain in the village. This study highlights the
necessity of broadening mosquito control to include rubber plantations.