Threatening of re-establishment of Malaria in Ampara district of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Malaria is one of the tropical diseases which is caused by Plasmodium species. There has been no local transmission of malaria in Ampara for eight years following elimination of the disease in 2011. In order to avoid the risk of malaria being re-established, species prevalence and vector density variations should continue to be monitored and diligently recorded. The objectives of the study are to find the species of mosquitoes prevalent in the district. Using the following techniques of entomological surveillance were done different MOH areas in Ampara District during January to August 2019: larval surveys, human landing catches, indoor hand collections, cattle baited hut collections, cattle baited trap collections, outdoor collections, window trap collections, larval surveys and susceptibility test. Among the techniques, total output was highest for larval surveys (23705 dips) Least was done for susceptibility test (2). In, Anopheles culicifacies, A subpictus, A annularis and A varuna were collected in different densities during larval survey. Anopheles culicifacies was the highest density of the vector larva (8,3 larvae per100 dips) but the least obtained larvae was A. annularies (0,3 larvae per 100 dips) As the index malaria case was available at the boundaries of the Moneragala district (adjacent to Ampara) and the availability of the larvae and adult of the vectors in the Ampara district and the laborers from the endemic areas in the adjacent district consist of the possibilities to re-establish the malaria disease again in our country.