Biting times of Plasmodium falciparum infected mosquitoes and transmission intensities following five years of insecticide-Treated bed nets use in Kamuli District, Uganda: Implications for malaria control

Authors: Fredrick Kabbale, Anne Akol, John Kaddu, Enock Matovu and Ambrose Onapa
This study determined the biting times of malaria vectors and transmission intensities following five years use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) in Kamuli district, Uganda. A Plasmodium falciparum circum-sporozoite protein ELISA was performed on 551 and 1640 Anopheles mosquitoes caught at different hours of the night in ITNs intervention and non-intervention zones, respectively. The sporozoite positivity of the vectors was related to the time of biting humans, while the annual entomological inoculation rates (AEIRs) were obtained by multiplying the average annual human biting rate by the sporozoite rate. Infective biting by the vectors occurred throughout the night, while peak infective bites occurred after 22:00 hours in both zones. The annual malaria transmission potential was higher in areas non-intervened with ITNs. ITNs were therefore effective against malaria vectors and should be widely promoted in this area. Other protective interventions when people are not in bed are recommended.

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