Spatial temporal distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes in different ecological zones of Ghana

Abstract

Vector control is a cornerstone for malaria control in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Understanding the distribution dynamics and ecology of major malaria vectors is important for strengthening current control efforts by national malaria control programmes. This project monitored the spatiotemporal distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes across different ecological zones of Ghana. Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled from twelve sites across the three ecological zones of Ghana (Coastal, Forest and Sahel Savannah zones) using human landing catches and Prokopack aspirators. Mosquitoes were subjected to morphological and molecular species identification. Sporozoites infection rates were assessed using PCR. Blood meal sources of blood fed female mosquitoes collected were assessed using PCR. A total of 47,771 Anopheline mosquitoes (An. gambiae s.l, An. funestus, An. pharoensis and An. rufipes) were collected across the three ecological zones. Anopheles gambiae s.l, particularly An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s were predominant across the study sites and ecological zones. Sporozoites infection was higher in the forest and sahel zones compared to the coastal zone. The overall human blood index was 40.46%. Our findings provide relevant data for improving current vector control for malaria in Ghana.