Bionomics of anopheles maculatus (theobald) and its relationship in transmitting malaria disease in an urban area on Penang Island, Malaysia.
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Date
2009
Authors
Asuar, Muhamad Firdaus
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Abstract
A study on a malaria outbreak in Bukit Gambir on the Southeast district of Penang Island was carried out for 14 months from February 2006 until March 2007. This study details the occurrence of malaria among the population according to age and profession. The age group between 21-30 years old recorded the highest malaria infection, while farm workers, rubber tappers, tourists, construction workers and illegal immigrants were the groups susceptible to the disease. A total of 80.93% of the malaria cases was caused by Plasmodium vivax, 15.69% by P. falcifarum, 0.98% by P. malariae and 2.94% by P. vivax and P. falcifarum. The malaria cases involved 10 citizenship including Malaysian, and the highest were among Indonesian comprising 69.90% of the total number of cases.
A study on the bionomics of Anopheles mosquitoes was also carried out. Throughout the study, seven Anopheles species were found namely An. barbirostris (2.52%), An. separatus (2.31%), An. umbrosus (0.68%), An. nigerrimus (0.08%), An. maculatus (91.23%), An. vagus (3.02 %) and An. ramsayi (0.16%). Anopheles larve were present in five habitats, ie. natural ditches, rivers, water reservoirss, hilly area and man made drains. Anopheles spp. bite throughout the night with several biting patterns. Anopheles maculatus shows its first biting peak at 2300 hours and the second peak at 0200 hours, while An. vagus bites throughout the night with the first biting peak at 2100 hours and the second peak at 0400 hours. Anopheles separatus displays the first biting peak at 2100 and the second biting peak at 0300, An. umbrosus bites with the highest biting peak at 0200 and the second highest peak at 2200. Anopheles ramsayi was observed with two same biting peaks at 2000 and 0300 hours. Anopheles barbirostris shows three biting peaks, the highest at 0200 hours and the second peaks at 2000 and 0300. Anopheles nigerrimus does not bite throughout the night, this species was observed to bite only at 2300 hours. Seasonal abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes was closely related to rainfall abundance. The main vector, An. maculatus showed no resistance to DDT4% , Malathion 5% and Permethrin 0.75% .
Description
Master
Keywords
Biological Science , Bionomics , Malaria disease , Urban area