Abstract
IntroductionBy 2030, more than 50% of the African population will live in urban areas. Controlling malaria reduces the disease burden and further improves economic development. As a complement to treated nets and prompt access to treatment, measures targeted against the larval stage of Anopheles sp. mosquitoes are a promising strategy for urban areas. However, a precise knowledge of the geographic location and potentially of ecological characteristics of breeding sites is of major importance for such interventions.MethodsIn total 151 km2 of central Dar es Salaam, the biggest city of Tanzania, were systematically searched for open mosquito breeding sites. Ecologic parameters, mosquito larvae density and geographic location were recorded for each site. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the key ecological factors explaining the different densities of mosquito larvae.ResultsA total of 405 potential open breeding sites were examined. Large drains, swamps and puddles were associated with no or low Anopheles sp. larvae density. The probability of Anopheles sp. larvae to be present was reduced when water was identified as "turbid". Small breeding sites were more commonly colonized by Anopheles sp. larvae. Further, Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae were found in highly organically polluted habitats.ConclusionsClear ecological characteristics of the breeding requirements of Anopheles sp. larvae could not be identified in this setting. Hence, every stagnant open water body, including very polluted ones, have to be considered as potential malaria vector breeding sites.
Highlights
Open breeding sites in Dar es Salaam A total of 405 potential mosquito breeding sites were examined and mapped. 19% were dry at the time of visit
A. gambiae s.s., A. arabiensis and A. funestus survive during the dry period in discreet habitats, making them an easier target for control interventions [31]
Mapping of malaria risk on the basis of breeding sites plays an important role for urban malaria control programs
Summary
By 2030, more than 50% of the African population will live in urban areas. Controlling malaria reduces the disease burden and further improves economic development. Urban malaria is generally characterized by: low transmission intensity, lack of immunity in the population and higher mortality rates in older age groups [4]. The distribution pattern of malaria transmission intensity is dependent on the degree of urbanization and on the distance from vector breeding sites [5,6]. A high heterogeneity of transmission intensity is characteristic for urban malaria [7]. Increasing urban agriculture is thought to play a major role in increasing malaria in urban areas. This is not yet demonstrated, as it increases breeding sites for Anopheles sp. Mosquito larvae, but it raises the economic status of the population, allowing improved malaria protection [8] This is not yet demonstrated, as it increases breeding sites for Anopheles sp. mosquito larvae, but it raises the economic status of the population, allowing improved malaria protection [8]
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