Indoor and outdoor biting behaviour of malaria vectors and the potential risk factors that enhance malaria in southern Malawi

Abstract

early evening and/or morning biting. Additionally, the biting behaviour of malaria vectors may be influenced by the availability of potential hosts in different locations. African malaria vectors, with a high degree of anthropophily, feed primarily indoors due to the availability of (human) hosts. However, variations in this behaviour are observed, where biting can occur both indoors and outdoors, and during a wider range of times. The area-wide introduction of LLINs and IRS may have affected this behaviour, as variations in behaviour have been found across Africa. Such behaviours would have a negative effect on malaria transmission in a region. Therefore, entomological monitoring to assess vector biting behaviour is essential for planning vector control interventions. Furthermore, the development of tools that can protect individuals from the early biting both indoors and outdoors is highly recommended.

Occurrence of asymptomatic malaria infection and living conditions in the lowlands of Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

“…Mosquito rests in shaded, rough, and cool areas during the daytime and become active at night to get their meal from warm blooded animals and exposure to mosquito bites happen either indoor or outdoor during late hour activities and social gatherings such as religious, cultural, and other activities [14][15][16]. In a study conducted in rural Indonesia, the occurrence of malaria was 2.8 times higher in individuals who raised their livestock inside their homes compared with those who did not [17].…”