Identification of Rat Density and Ectoparasites in Seaport Area of Manokwari, Papua Province

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Manokwari port is a port that is the gateway (point of entry) in the area of Manokwari Regency, West Papua Province.
 AIM: The purpose of this research was to determine the density of rats, types of rats, success traps, the density of ectoparasites, and types of ectoparasites.
 METHODS: This is a descriptive observational research type to determine the picture of environmental sanitation such as the presence of waste, signs of the presence of rats, success traps, types of rats, and ectoparasites. The population was all rats and ectoparasites that were around the catch-location. Samples were mice and ectoparasites that were caught at research time.
 RESULTS: The results of the study for 4 days of trapping with a total of 200 traps, the calculation of success traps per day in the trap multi live trap A obtained values ranging from 0 to 0.13 and in multi live traps B with salted fish baits ranging from 0.02 to 0.08. The results showed several types of mice, namely, Rattus tanezumi (52.17%), Rattus norvegicus (43.47%), ad Soricidae (4.34%). A total of 13 male rats (56.52%) 10 female rats (43.47%) were successfully captured during the study. The results showed that from 23 rats caught, 23 ectoparasites of fleas Xenopsylla cheopis, one tick, seven small louse, and six mites.
 CONCLUSIONS: The rats most commonly found are R. tanezumi rats with male sex with ectoparasites which are found the most, namely, X. cheopis. Ectoparasites of this type are very dangerous for health, one of which can cause bubonic plague. Therefore, it recommended that the port authority can improve vector control in the port area.