índices larvales de Aedes aegypti antes y después de intervenciones de control en Limón, Costa Rica

introduction: costa rica has undergone a gradual increase of dengue incidence, including some hemorrhagic dengue cases. objective: to analyze the bahaviour of the entomological indexes before and after the control interventions on the vector as well as to identify the breeding sites of aedes aegypti. methods: the source of information was the database from the vector control campaign workers in el cantón de limón in 15 visited locations, before and after the interventions from september through december 2007. the interventions comprised non-conventional garbage collection, destruction of breeding sites, use of abate as larvicide and heat treatment for adult vectors inside and outside the house. results: the first survey showed house-index values over 5 in 12 localities, whereas 5 exhibited increased values after the interventions during the second survey. values exceeding 30% were found due to non-visited closed houses and to families that rejected to be visited. positivity percentages in swampy places were low, 3,6 and 2,9% before and after the interventions, respectively. nine hundred one reservoirs with larvae and pupas, being the most positive cans, jars, tyres, buckets and canoes. conclusions: the critical assessment of the results showed a significant impact on the entomological indexes after the interventions; however, for future interventions, it was recommended to make a detailed review of the in situ work so as to reduce problems in the implementation and introduction of new measures.