Epidemiology of malaria and predictions of retransmission in Babylon governorate, Iraq

ABSTRACT

After the 1997-98 malaria epidemic in Babylon governorate, Iraq, malaria transmission in this area was successfully interrupted. A parasitological survey in 2002 identified no malaria cases but an entomological survey found both Anopheles stephensi and A. pulcherrimus in high densities. The highest density was recorded in September and the lowest in December and January. Despite the high density of Anopheles, no parasite sporozoites or oocysts were found in dissected mosquitoes. Nevertheless, malaria transmission could recur if A. stephensi indoor resting density exceeds the critical threshold and imported malaria cases are not monitored