ABSTRACT
"Background: Malaria epidemics in highland areas of East Africa have caused considerable morbidity and mortality in the past two decades. Knowledge of ""hotspot"" areas of high malaria incidence would allow for focused preventive interventions in resource-poor areas; particularly if the hotspot areas can be discerned during non-epidemic periods and predicted by ecological factors. Methods:To address this issue; spatial distribution of malaria incidence and the relationship of ecological factors to malaria incidence were assessed in the highland area of Kipsamoite; Kenya; from 001-2004. Results: Clustering of disease in a single geographic ""hotspot"" area occurred in epidemic and non-epidemic years; with a 2.6 to 3.2-fold increased risk of malaria inside the hotspot; as compared to outside the area (P 0.001; all 4 years). Altitude and proximity to the forest were independently associated with increased malaria risk in all years; including epidemic and non-epidemic years. Conclusion: In this highland area; areas of high malaria risk are consistent in epidemic and non-epidemic years and are associated with specific ecological risk factors. Ongoing interventions in areas of ecological risk factors could be a cost-effective method of significantly reducing malaria incidence and blunting or preventing epidemics; even in the absence of malaria early warning systems. Further studies should be conducted to see if these findings hold true in varied highland settings."
Subject(s)
Ecology , Malaria/epidemiology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
"Tick - host specificity. Results of an intense sampling study in Madagascar"" : Ticks are traditionally considered being host-specific parasites. The pattern of tick-host relationship was elucidated by exhaustive collection from a considerable number of potential hosts from numerous sites in the Malagasy mid-altitude forest. It can from the findings be concluded that the Malagasy ticks found on small mammals may be distinguished as either having a broad host-specificity or being highly host-specific. The results may provide important information in respect to phylogenetic studies with regards to the geological history of Madagascar and its endemic fauna."
Subject(s)
Ecology , Ixodidae , Phylogeny , TicksABSTRACT
Les auteurs ont effectue des captures des moustiques adultes dans les collectivites peripheriques de la zone de Ndjili (Kinshasa). Les resultats demontrent l'existence d'une cohabitation entre les Culicides et les anophelines. Dans ce dernier groupe; A. gambiae s.l. represente 99;2 pour cent de la population anophelienne. Les collectivites marecageuses et maraicheres abritent plus de moustiques que les autres. Les femelles sont moins nombreuses que les males (31;8 pour cent) mais les sex-ratios les plus importants observes dans les collectivites montrent la dynamique des femelles d'anopheles
Subject(s)
Anopheles , Ecology , Urban HealthABSTRACT
A survey was undertaken in water-contact sites of communities on the Weija lake over a 12-month period to update information on the snails in the lake. The study involved the collection of snails with scoop-net from the sediments; floating; marginal and submerged aquatic vegetation and other objects in the lake. All snails collected were identified. Bulinus truncatus; B.(Physopsis) globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi were examined for trematode infection. Nine species of snails were encountered. They were either autochthonous fauna of the River Densu basin or possibly introduced. Four of the snail species encountered: Biomphalaria pfeifferi; Bulinus trucatus; B.(Physopsis) globosus and Lymnaea natalensis were of medical and veterinary importance. B.(Physopsis) globosus however; has been unsuccessful in colonising the lake though it was the dominant bulinid snail transmitting S. haematobium before the impoundment. The previously rather rare B. truncatus has become the dominant S. haematobium transmitting snail in the lake. Biomphalaria pfeifferi has also established itself in the lake with the possibility of the introduction and increased transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis. This species succession is likely to heighten schistosomiasis transmission in the lake
Subject(s)
Ecology , Ghana , Public Health , Schistosomiasis haematobia , SnailsABSTRACT
Les amenagements en eau presentent un atout pour la croissance economique. Cependant ils peuvent etre a l'origine de divers problemes sanitaires si leur gestion n'est pas rationalisee. L'objectif de la presente etude etait d'evaluer l'etat actuel de la distribution des vecteurs et hotes intermediaires des maladies transmissibles dans le site du futur barrage hydroelectrique de Memve'ele. Il resulte des prospections entomologiques que les principaux vecteurs sont Anopheles gambiae et A. nili pour le paludisme; Simulium damnosum pour l'onchocercose; Glossina palpalis pour la trypanosomiase; Chrysops dimidiata et C. silacea pour la loase. Sur le plan malacologique; aucun hote intermediaire de schistosomiase n'a ete recolte. Le risque d'introduction de l'onchocercose; de la trypanosomiase et autres maladies vectorielles dans la region est discute en fonction des donnees ecologiques qui suivront la construction et la mise en eau du barrage. Des mesures visant a reduire les impacts negatifs sur la sante des populations sont preconisees