Abstract
BackgroundIn 2015 alone there were an estimated 214 million new cases of malaria across the globe and 438,000 deaths were reported. Although indigenous malaria has not been reported in Sri Lanka since 2012, to date 247 imported cases of malaria have been identified. Knowledge of the locations, behaviour and vectorial capacity of potential malarial vectors is therefore needed to prevent future outbreaks. Attention is now being focused on some previously ignored habitats.MethodsActive and abandoned granite and clay quarry pits, located in wet and intermediate zones, and agro wells located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka were mapped and sampled for 1 year, as potential mosquito breeding sites. Species composition and spatio-temporal variation in both malarial and other mosquito larvae were recorded.ResultsA total of 18 species of mosquito larvae were identified. Other than Anopheles culicifacies, the primary malaria vector, five species of potential malaria vectors (Anopheles vagus, Anopheles varuna, Anopheles nigerrimus, Anopheles peditaeniatus and Anopheles barbirostris) were found in all three aquatic systems. Additionally, Anopheles annularis was found in granite quarries and Anopheles subpictus and Anopheles pallidus in both types of quarry, but only during the initial sampling. Apart from potential malaria vectors, mosquito larvae such as Anopheles jamesii, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex infula and Culex malayi were found in all three habitats at least once during the sampling period. Apart from potential malaria vectors and other mosquito larvae common to all three aquatic systems, Culex gelidus, Culex mimulus and Culex pseudo vishnui were detected in agro wells. Culex gelidus was also detected in granite quarry pits. Culex mimulus, Culex lutzia and Culex fuscocephala were detected in clay quarry pits. Accordingly, a total of 14, 13 and 15 mosquito species were identified in agro wells, granite and clay quarry pits, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough zero occurrence of indigenous malaria has been achieved in Sri Lanka, the current study emphasizes the potential for future epidemics. The presence of native flora and fauna in abandoned granite and clay quarry pits and the need to extract drinking water from agro wells demand bio-sensitive control methods in these three aquatic systems.
Highlights
In 2015 alone there were an estimated 214 million new cases of malaria across the globe and 438,000 deaths were reported
Occurrence of difference anopheline and culicine larvae in granite and clay quarry pits and agro wells A total of 18 species of mosquito larvae were identified in the current study
Apart from potential malaria vectors, mosquito larvae such as Anopheles jamesii, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex infula and Culex malayi were present in all three aquatic systems at least once during the sampling period
Summary
In 2015 alone there were an estimated 214 million new cases of malaria across the globe and 438,000 deaths were reported. New aquatic systems are constantly being created due to human activities, such as mining and agriculture These systems have not been given due attention despite their proximity to human dwellings and their increase in numbers. Granite and clay quarry pits are found in the wet (mean annual rainfall ≤2500 mm), intermediate (mean annual rainfall = 1750–2500 mm) and dry zones. They are present as both active and abandoned pits. The abandoned pits have become semi-naturalized, lentic water bodies and they harbour a diversity of native flora and fauna They are dynamic systems, with some of the abandoned quarries becoming active from time to time.
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