Breteau

A Breteau is a type of shallow container used in entomology, particularly for monitoring mosquito populations. The term commonly refers to a black plastic container, often roughly cylindrical or rectangular, filled with water and left outdoors to attract egg-laying female mosquitoes. The Breteau Index (BI) is a measure derived from surveying a given area for water-holding containers and counting how many of those containers are positive for mosquito larvae or pupae. The BI represents the number of positive containers per 100 houses inspected. It's a crucial indicator in assessing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya. Higher Breteau Index values suggest a greater risk of disease transmission due to increased mosquito breeding sites. Public health officials use the Breteau Index, along with other entomological indicators, to implement targeted mosquito control strategies.