Seasonal prediction of the distribution of three major malaria vectors in China: Based on an ecological niche model

by Qi An, Yuepeng Li, Zhuo Sun, Xiang Gao, Hongbin Wang Against the backdrop of a global malaria epidemic that remains severe, China has eradicated indigenous malaria but still has to be alert to the risk of external importation. Understanding the distribution of vectors can provide an adequate and reliable basis for the development and implementation of vector control strategies. However, with the decline of malaria prevalence in recent years, the capacity of vector monitoring and identification has been greatly weakened. Here we have used new sampling records, climatic data, and topographic data to establish ecological niche models of the three main malaria vectors in China. The model results accurately identified the current habitat suitability areas for the three species ofAnopheles and revealed that in addition to precipitation and temperature as important variables affecting the distribution ofAnopheles mosquitoes, topographic variables also influenced the distribution ofAnopheles mosquitoes.Anopheles sinensis is the most widespread malaria vector in China, with a wide region from the northeast (Heilongjiang Province) to the southwest (Yunnan Province) suitable for its survival. Suitable habitat areas forAnopheles lesteri are concentrated in the central, eastern, and southern regions of China. The suitable habitat areas ofAnopheles minimus are the smallest and are only distributed in the border provinces of southern China. On this basis, we further assessed the seasona...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research