Spatial changes in the distribution of malaria vectors during the past 5 decades in Iran.
BACKGROUND
Global warming and climate change affect various aspects of mankind, including public health. Anopheles mosquitoes are of Public Health importance and can be affected by global warming and other environmental variables. Here, we studied the distribution of Anopheles vectors of malaria in relation to environmental variables in Iran.


METHODS
Long-term meteorological and entomological data of about 50 years in retrospect were collected and arranged in a geo-database and analyzed using ArcGIS ver. 9.3 and exported to SPSS ver. 20 for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Distribution maps have been updated for seven species of Anopheles vectors of malaria which involved Anopheles culicifacies s.l., An. fluviatilis s.l., An. stephensi, An. dthali, An. sacharovi, An. maculipennis.l. and An. superpictus in Iran. Distribution maps of vectors were made based on district areas using Kriging model. Historical and recent records were demonstrated for each Anopheles based on climatic factors in the distribution areas of each Anopheles vectors.


CONCLUSIONS
Iran, like other parts of the world is faced with warming and this probably affected the distribution of Anopheles vectors. Despite the warming phenomenon, the country's climate had changed during the cold season as temperatures became colder or cooler. This study shows that some vectors had migrated from the central part of Iran with dry and sunny landscape, moved towards the mountainous areas of the north or the warm and humid areas of the south. Historical records show that these anophelines have previously been distributed in lowland areas. If this process continues in the future, Anopheles mosquitoes may be seen in low lands with cold areas in central and northern parts of the country or will occupy humid and warm climates in the southern parts of the country where water is more available.
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences (HUMS), Iran.
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Salahi-Moghaddam
Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Khoshdel
Research Deputy of Meteorological Organization, Iran.
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Dalaei
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Iran.
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Pakdad
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Iran.
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Nutifafa
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Iran. Electronic address: sedaghmm@tums.ac.ir.
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Sedaghat
D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D002980:Climate; D057231:Climate Change; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D007492:Iran; D008288:Malaria / Q000635:transmission*; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature
Anopheles; Climate change; GIS; IRAN; Malaria