Anopheline fauna and malaria transmission in four ecologically distinct zones in Cameroon.
Knowledge of baseline malaria transmission intensity in a given environment is important to guide malaria control interventions. In Cameroon, recent information on malaria transmission intensity is insufficient. Therefore, an entomological study was conducted in four ecologically different sites throughout the country to assess the seasonal patterns in malaria transmission intensity. Anopheles arabiensis was the main vector in six of the nine study sites, while An. gambiae sensu stricto was the most important vector in the other three sites. Clear differences in entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were observed between the study sites, ranging from 0.1 infective bites per person per night in the sahelian zone of the country to 5.5 infective bites per person per night in the forest zone. Based on the observed behaviour of the vectors, insecticide-treated bed nets will be highly effective in controlling malaria. However, in the high transmission areas, additional measures will be needed to reduce the malaria burden to acceptable levels.
Atangana
Jean
J
National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon, P.O. Box: 14386, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Bigoga
Jude D
JD
Patchoké
Salomon
S
Ndjemaï
M N Hamadou
MN
Tabue
Raymond N
RN
Nem
Thomas E
TE
Fondjo
Etienne
E
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods