Abstract
Anopheles mosquitoes are the vectors of Plasmodium species, the causative agent of malaria, and a major cause of death in tropical Africa. The distribution of Anopheles species in time and space is a function of ecological factors in a given habitat. This study investigated the distribution of anopheles mosquitoes in the early wet season of 2017, in Keffi Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Mosquito’s collection was carried out in four locations in the study area using two methods: Pyrethrum Spray Catch (PSC) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) light traps. Indoor and outdoor mosquitoes were collected. All mosquitoes collected were morphologically identified using standard procedures. A total of 973 mosquitoes were collected and identified. This comprised culicines 742 (76%) and anophelines 231 (23%). There was a progressive increase in number of anophelines from April 93 (40.3%) to May 138 (59.2%). Four species of Anopheles mosquitoes were identified in the study area: An.gambiae 221 (95.7%). An.coustani 7 (3.0%), An.squamosus 2(0.9%) and An.pharoensis 1(0.4%).More Anopheles mosquitoes collected showed a statistical significant difference between the 2 months and between indoors and outdoors collection (P<0.05). These findings show the presence of the vector of malaria in the study area during the early wet season and recommends early vector control before and during the season to reduce incidence of malaria in Keffi area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Highlights
Human malaria is caused by Plasmodium species, a protozoan parasite
Ebenezer et al (2013) on the study of spatial distribution and indoor resting density of mosquito species in the lowland rainforest of Bayelsa State, Nigeria showed that over 80% of mosquitoes collected were during wet season
The abundance and diversity of anophelines and culicines species seen within the study area is due to the presence of transient and stagnant water and other environmental factors observed at the beginning of the wet season
Summary
Human malaria is caused by Plasmodium species, a protozoan parasite. Malaria is the world’s most important parasitic disease with estimated 247 million cases, 881,000 deaths most of them children under the ages of five (WHO/UNICEF, 2003). It poses a major threat to over 2.4 billion people, about 4% of the world population. Malaria is a persistent ailment in tropical Africa especially among children under five years due to their low level of resistance (Appawu et al, 2011). Malaria transmission in Africa communities is enhanced by environmental conditions such as high humidity and warmth which accelerate mosquito development. Treated nets offer protection from the mosquitoes, bites can still occur outside the net (Awolola et al, 2014)
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