~ 190 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2019; 7(3): 190-192 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2019; 7(3): 190-192 © 2019 JEZS Received: 14-03-2019 Accepted: 18-04-2019 Shakya M Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India Sikrodia R Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India Parthasarathi BC Entomology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India Jayraw AK Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India Singh M Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India Deepak Upadhaya Entomology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India Fular A Entomology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India Bisht N Entomology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India Kumar S Entomology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India Correspondence Singh M Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India Cat flea ( Ctenocephalides felis felis ) and Oriental cat flea ( Ctenocephalides orientis ) infestation as a emerging nuisance to human population Shakya M, Sikrodia R, Parthasarathi BC, Jayraw AK, Singh M, Deepak Upadhaya, Fular A, Bisht N and Kumar S Abstract Fleas are known as a vector of important diseases including plague, murine typhus, tularemia and dipylidiasis. This pest annually imposes a considerable economical loss and cause damage to human and livestock sector. Furthermore, flea bite is one of the causative agents of hypersensitivity responses, dermatitis, allergies and severe discomfort. Fleas were collected from corners of the houses and on the children’s bodies during blood feeding. The fleas were collected and processed as per the standard protocol. On detailed microscopic examination, the collected fleas were identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis and C. felisorientis. This report demonstrates the need of precise history taking, identification of flea genus/species and implementation of an effective flea control strategy to eliminate an existing infestation in gardens as well as in houses. Keywords: Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ctenocephalides orientis, human beings 1. Introduction Fleas are blood sucking ectoparasites on warm blooded hosts and they are a matter of high importance both in medical and veterinary field. Fleas transmit several diseases to humans such as plague, murine typhus, tularemia and dipylidiasis. Flea infestation causes considerable economic losses in livestock sector and severe health problems to humans. Furthermore, flea bites also cause hypersensitivity responses, dermatitis, allergies and severe discomfort. Fleas pierce the skin with specialized mouthparts in human’s leads to condition called Flea Allergy Dermatitis (F.A.D.) due to substances in flea saliva. Fleas mostly infest referred hosts [1, 2] and sometimes may infest other hosts also. Ctenocephalides felis felis (cat flea) can be found in all continents except Antarctica [3] . And infest cats, dogs, humans and other mammals. C. felis and C. canis (dog flea) are causes severe irritation and allergy to humans due to their painful bites. Cat fleas and their feces are considered as allergens and it can increase the allergen city of house dust. Fleas are also capable of transmitting several zoonotic pathogens to humans. These ectoparasites played a historic role in human plagues and in the ‘Black Death’ (bubonic plague), which is estimated to have caused the deaths of a one third of the world’s population during the Middle Ages [4] . In recent years, flea bornerickettisiosis (Rickettsia felis) reports are increased worldwide due to increased globalization. Repeated flea bites leads to allergic reaction in humans and this in turn lead to secondary infections. Despite of all above mentioned facts like diseases transmission, economical losses and public health concerns, there is not enough information about flea and its complication in our country. 2. Materials and Methods A family from staff quarters of College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Mhow, Madhya Pradesh reported several multiple tiny bite marks with severe itching in the different parts of their bodies. Some samples of tiny live insects were collected from their bodies and clothing’s were taken for examination to Department of Parasitology. For the detailed morphological examination few fleas were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol.Collected fleas first treated with 10% KOH solution overnight then they were initially dehydrated by using ascending grades of alcohols starting from 30% to 50% to 90% to absolute alcohol. In each grade of alcohol, the specimen is kept for 20 minutes.