Biting Rhythms of Malaria Vector in the Urban Area of Itu, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
NJE Vol. 40(2): 121-136, 2024
DOI.10.36108/NJE/4202/04.0201
Bassey, E. B.1, Oboho, D. E*2, Akpan, A. U.2, Opara, K. N.2, Atting, I. A3, Ogbeche, J. O4, Afia, U.U.2, Umohata, I2, Adams, E. G.2 and Usip, L. P.2
1Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
4Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar Nigeria
Correspondence email: diligentoboho@uniuyo.edu.ng ORCID: 0009-0006-7098-7519
Abstract
In Nigeria, malaria is still a serious public health concern. Studies on the endemicity of the illness in Akwa Ibom State have been conducted to identify effective strategies for malaria control, but little is known about the spread of Anopheles in the metropolitan Itu area. In the study area, a descriptive study was conducted between November 2017 and December 2018. The CDC light trap human baited bednet method was used to measure the biting activity of both indoor and outdoor mosquitoes, while the pyrethroid spray catch technique was utilized to estimate the density of mosquitoes resting indoors. Standard entomological instruments were used for morphological identification of mosquitoes. Out of the 1263 mosquitoes that were captured, An. gambiae s l (87.49%) was more prevalent. The wet season had a considerably (p<0.05) greater indoor resting density of Anopheles mosquitoes than the dry season. The average indoor resting density was 39.40 Anopheles/room, and the annual man-biting rate was a considerably (p <0.05) high 59.38 bites/man. The peak biting times were seen to be between 2 and 3 a.m., indoors (23.97%) and between 12 and 1 a.m., outdoors (19.74%). Year-round transmission of malaria occurs. The primary malaria vector in Itu metropolitan region is Anopheles gambiae. Planning and carrying out malaria control measures is so crucial in the Itu Local Government Area.
Keywords: Anopheles gambiae, Biting, Malaria, Indoor Resting Density, Vector