Understanding the mosquitoes is important for malaria control. As part of our research in Ethiopia, we collect larvae, pupae and adult mosquitoes.For example in our study area Chano, near Arba Minch in south Ethiopia, Fekadu Massebo does this every month. This is done through light traps, in-door spraying, and in pit shelters, and from breeding sites.
We do this to study species composition, adult density, feeding and resting habits, parasite infection and infectivity, longevity, and seasonality. By doing this we will find out the monthly, seasonal and annual entomological infections rates (EIR), and observe possible associations between EIR and disease burden.
Recently, we also visited the Gidole Highlands further south. Our question was if malaria transmission takes place at higher altitudes. Information from the hospital suggest that people living at an altitude of 2200 m, get malaria. We found many anopheles larvae and pupae. We shall now analyse them at Arba Minch University, and see if we can identify anopheles species that transmit malaria.