Epidemiological and entomological aspects of malaria in forestfringed villages of Sonitpur district, Assam

Background & objectives : Detailed epidemiological and entomological studies were undertaken inforest-fringed villages and a Tea Estate in Sonitpur, Assam to assess the malaria situation.Methods : Door-to-door active surveillance was carried out to collect blood samples. Thick and thinblood smears stained with Giemsa were used for malaria parasite detection. Mosquito collectionswere made using CDC miniature light-traps and hand catch methods from dusk-to-dawn.Results : 48% SPR, 49.1 Pf % was recorded from the study villages. Children between 10 and 14 yearswere most sufferers. Per trap night density of mosquitoes in human dwellings was 204.3 and incattlesheds — 908.7, An. minimus accounted for 20.7% of total malaria vectors.Interpretation & conclusion : The results showed high malaria risk in the study villages. High vectordensity with high parity rate, poor socio-economic conditions, lack of awareness, poor sanitation andcongenial atmosphere for mosquito proliferation are aggravating the malaria situation more complex inthe study area