Assistant Research Scientist and Officer-in-Charge,
ICMR-NIMR, Field Unit, Goa
Title of the project (VB): Studies on bionomics of vectors in relation to transmission and control/Elimination of malaria in the state of Goa
Summary:
Malaria vectors that are currently playing a significant role in the transmission of malaria in Goa are Anopheles stephensi (Type form) and Anopheles subpictus sibling species B in the coastal and sub-coastal belt of Goa. Government of Goa has launched a malaria elimination programme intending to eliminate the disease by 2020. Most of the previous studies carried out in urban areas of Goa mostly focused on An. stephensi breeding and resting habitat, vectorial capacity and insecticide susceptibility. However, the feeding and resting behaviour, breeding habitat and vectorial capacity of recently reported malaria vector i.e An. subpictus and other recognized vectors such as An. fluviatilis and secondary vector An. annularis are not known in this region. Therefore, systematic research is required in different aspects of malaria vector(s) such as species composition, abundance, and impact of changing breeding ecology, resting and feeding behavior, vector potential, insecticide susceptibility / resistance status, and transmission dynamics in response to current implemented interventions. The data generated from the proposed study will fill the lacunae with updated information on bionomics of vector(s) in relation to transmission of malaria and its control/elimination. It will also significantly contribute to an evidence-based management of malaria vectors as well as firm and sustainable control of malaria in Goa under the malaria elimination programme.
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