Abstract
The epidemiology of human malaria differs considerably between and within geographic regions due, in part, to variability in mosquito species behaviours. Recently, the WHO emphasised stratifying interventions using local surveillance data to reduce malaria. The usefulness of vector surveillance is entirely dependent on the biases inherent in the sampling methods deployed to monitor mosquito populations. To understand and interpret mosquito surveillance data, the frequency of use of malaria vector collection methods was analysed from a georeferenced vector dataset (> 10,000 data records), extracted from 875 manuscripts across Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. Commonly deployed mosquito collection methods tend to target anticipated vector behaviours in a region to maximise sample size (and by default, ignoring other behaviours). Mosquito collection methods targeting both host-seeking and resting behaviours were seldomly deployed concurrently at the same site. A balanced sampling design using multiple methods would improve the understanding of the range of vector behaviours, leading to improved surveillance and more effective vector control.
Highlights
The epidemiology of human malaria differs considerably between and within geographic regions due, in part, to variability in mosquito species behaviours
Collection methods used in the study, while three different collection methods were used in 155 publications
The different collection methods recorded in the database targeting host-seeking or resting mosquitoes were categorised as by Farlow et al.[9], which showed that the same seven collection method groups were used in Africa, the Americas and the
Summary
The epidemiology of human malaria differs considerably between and within geographic regions due, in part, to variability in mosquito species behaviours. The usefulness of vector surveillance is entirely dependent on the biases inherent in the sampling methods deployed to monitor mosquito populations. To understand and interpret mosquito surveillance data, the frequency of use of malaria vector collection methods was analysed from a georeferenced vector dataset (> 10,000 data records), extracted from 875 manuscripts across Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. The WHO recommends monitoring a set of vector surveillance indicators based on transmission intensity and vector control measures deployed[5,6,7]. These indicators are species identification, abundance, peak biting times, resting and biting locations, insecticide susceptibility and infection rates[6]. Species complexes containing cryptic species are found across all regions
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.