Ecology of Malaria Vectors in an Endemic Area, Southeast of Iran

Abstract

Background: Malaria has long been regarded as one of the most important public health issues in Iran. Although the country is now in the elimination phase, some endemic foci of malaria are still present in the southeastern areas of the country. In some endemic foci, there are no data on the malaria vectors. To fill this gap, the present study was designed to provide basic entomological data on malaria vectors in the southeastern areas of Iran.
 Methods: Adult and larval stages of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected by using different catch methods. Resistance of the main malaria vector in the study area to selected insecticides was evaluated using diagnostic doses advised by the World Health Organization in 2013–2014. 
 Results: A total of 3288 larvae and 1055 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected, and identified as: Anopheles stephensi (32.1%), Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (23.4%), Anopheles dthali (23.2%), Anopheles superpictus s.l. (12.7%), and Anopheles fluviatilis s.l. (8.6%). Anopheles stephensi was the most predominant mosquito species collected indoors at the study area, with two peaks of activity in May and November. This species was found to be resistant to DDT 4%, tolerant to malathion 5% and susceptible to other tested insecticides.
 Conclusion: All the five malaria vectors endemic to the south of Iran were collected and identified in the study area. Our findings on the ecology and resting/feeding habitats of these malaria vectors provide information useful for planning vector control program in this malarious area.

Temporal Monitoring and Predicting of the Abundance of Malaria Vectors Using Time Series Analysis of Remote Sensing Data through Google Earth Engine

“…According to a study conducted by Edalat et al [31] in Qaleh-Ganj County, the abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes began to increase in February and had been increasing until May, after that, the abundance rate is negative. Again, from September to November, the abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes increased and decreased rapidly in December.…”

“…In order to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated high-risk times in a year, field data of the abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes were needed. Due to the lack of access to appropriate entomological data in the regions, the previous three studies [29][30][31] conducted in the study areas had been used for final evaluation. The years studied in these three researches were neither rainy nor drought years and were consistent with the average climatic conditions over a seven-year period.…”

“…GEE had the ability to analyze the effective parameters on the abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes in the long run by providing a strong processing space as well as easy access to time series remote sensing data. Finally, based on the environmental and meteorological trend, high-risk periods for each study area was extracted and evaluated against entomological data [29][30][31].…”

“…According to research conducted in Iran [31][32][33][34][35], in recent years, cases of malaria have been observed in the three counties of Qaleh-Ganj, Sarbaz and Bashagard. These three counties have the potential to provide Anopheles mosquito larval habitats due to their subtropical climate and environmental conditions.…”

Temporal Monitoring and Predicting of the Abundance of Malaria Vectors Using Time Series Analysis of Remote Sensing Data through Google Earth Engine

“…Finally, by fusing the results of all effective factors over a period of seven years based on the majority voting decision, the high-risk months were identified in three study areas. To assess the proposed method, the results were evaluated against entomological data [31][32][33]. The flowchart of the proposed method is shown in Figure 1.…”