PREVALENCE OF MALARIA DISEASE AND ITS VECTORS ANOPHELES CULICIFACIES AND ANOPHELES STEPHENSI (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN MAIN MALARIA AFFECTED AREAS OF SINDH.

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a vector borne disease and one of the leading serious health issue in south Asia including Pakistan. Globally approximately 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths were reported during the year (2024). The main affected regions of the world are Africa and Asia, probably due to significant challenges poses to elimination efforts against its vectors, Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi. Aim: This study aimed to observe the frequency of malaria cases in endemic area of Sindh and seasonal diversity of its vectors which transmitted malaria parasite in different areas of studied localities. Methods: Blood samples were collected through finger pick and then observed by thick and thin microscopy. While mosquito were collected by aspirator and insect neat at the time of dawn and dusk, larvae were collected by dipping method from different breeding habitats. Results: During the study period twelve months (361247) blood samples were screened out of which (17127) were found positive for malaria parasites. Most frequent species Plasmodium vivax (11803) followed by P. falciparum (3969) and mixed infection (1355). Seasonal diversity of malaria vectors (121) adults were collected during dry season (pre-monsoon) and (239) were collected during wet season (post-monsoon). Conclusion: Proper awareness should be important regarding to wearing of proper protective clothing to low socioeconomic people. Civilian bodies and Non-government should encourage local population to actively take part in clearing mosquito breeding places. As number of malaria patients are increasing day by day, it is recommended that malaria control program should also focus on research regarding development of novel synergistic and compound combination effective against drug resistant Plasmodium species and Anopheles mosquito.