Malaria Transmitting Anophiline Mosquito Larva in Fishponds of Mongu District, Western Province of Zambia
Keywords:
Malaria, Anopheline, Mosquito Larvae, Fishponds, Mongu, Western Zambia
Abstract
Mongu District, situated in the malaria-endemic Western Province of Zambia, has witnessed a significant increase in fish farming activities in recent years. These practices have brought substantial economic and nutritional benefits to the local population, offering an alternative source of income and food security. However, poorly managed fishponds have emerged as potential breeding grounds for Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary vectors responsible for malaria transmission. This poses a dual challenge of promoting sustainable aquaculture while mitigating associated public health risks. This study aimed to investigate whether mosquito larvae found in fishponds within Mongu District belonged to malaria-transmitting Anopheline species. A total of 26 fishponds were surveyed across the district, with larvae samples collected, preserved, and subjected to detailed morphological identification at the Macha Research Trust. The findings revealed the presence of Anopheline mosquito larvae, which have the potential to mature into adult vectors of malaria. Crucially, unlined fishponds were identified as hotspots for mosquito breeding, whereas lined ponds were completely devoid of larvae. These observations underscore the role of proper fishpond design and management in reducing mosquito proliferation. The study further highlights the effectiveness of lined ponds, which not only enhance water retention and fish productivity but also serve as a barrier against mosquito breeding. Additionally, the introduction of larvivorous fish species—fish that feed on mosquito larvae—was identified as a sustainable biological control measure to reduce malaria transmission risks associated with aquaculture. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated strategies that balance the economic benefits of fish farming with the imperative of malaria control. Recommendations include promoting the adoption of lined fishponds, training local farmers in best aquaculture practices, and encouraging the use of biological mosquito control methods such as larvivorous fish. Policymakers, public health officials, and aquaculture stakeholders must collaborate to ensure that fish farming contributes positively to livelihoods without exacerbating public health challenges. This study serves as a critical reminder that the intersection of aquaculture and public health requires a coordinated approach to ensure sustainable development in malaria-endemic regions like Mongu District.References
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2. Kassam R, Collins JB, Liow E, Rasool N. Narrative review of current context of malaria and management strategies in Uganda (Part I). Acta Trop. 2015 Dec;152:252–68.
3. Fillinger U, Sombroek H, Majambere S, Van Loon E, Takken W, Lindsay SW. Identifying the most productive breeding sites for malaria mosquitoes in The Gambia. Malar J. 2009 Dec;8(1):62.
4. Zambia - Malaria Operational Plan FY 2019.
5. U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative Zambia Malaria Profile.
6. World malaria report 2022 [Internet]. [cited 2025 Feb 11]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/reports/world-malaria-report-2022
7. WorldFish [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 Feb 11]. Aquaculture in Zambia: An overview and evaluation of the sector’s responsiveness to the needs of the poor. Available from: https://worldfishcenter.org/publication/aquaculture-zambia-overview-and-evaluation-sectors-responsiveness-needs-poor
8. Krumholz LA. Reproduction in the Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis affinis (Baird & Girard), and Its Use in Mosquito Control. Ecol Monogr. 1948;18(1):1–43.
9. Parasitology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Babamale OA, Opeyemi OA, Parasitology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Bukky AA, Parasitology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, et al. Association Between Farming Activities and Plasmodium falciparum Transmission in Rural Communities in Nigeria. Malays J Med Sci. 2020 Jun 30;27(3):105–16.
10. HathiTrust [Internet]. [cited 2025 Feb 11]. The mosquitoes of Oklahoma, by L. E. Rozeboom ... Available from: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/coo.31924018295687?urlappend=%3Bseq=5
11. Maheu-Giroux M. AN ECO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FISH FARMING AND MALARIA OCCURRENCE IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON.
12. Matthys B, Vounatsou P, Raso G, Tschannen AB, Becket EG, Gosoniu L, et al. Urban farming and malaria risk factors in a medium-sized town in Cote d’Ivoire. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Dec;75(6):1223–31.
13. Cross DE, Thomas C, McKeown N, Siaziyu V, Healey A, Willis T, et al. Geographically extensive larval surveys reveal an unexpected scarcity of primary vector mosquitoes in a region of persistent malaria transmission in western Zambia. Parasit Vectors. 2021 Feb 1;14(1):91.
14. Zingani E, Nakweba L. Investigating Practices Among Fish Farmers That Predispose Them To Malaria Infection: An Analytical Cross Section Survey In Mongu And Limulunga Districts Of Western Province, Zambia. J Agric Biomed Sci [Internet]. 2024 Apr 30 [cited 2025 Feb 11];7(2). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1132
15. Barlett JE, Kotrlik J, Higgins C. Organizational Research: Determining Appropriate Sample Size in Survey Research. Inf Technol Learn Perform J. 2001 Jan 1;19.
16. Bashar K, Rahman MdS, Nodi IJ, Howlader AJ. Species composition and habitat characterization of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae in semi-urban areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Pathog Glob Health. 2016 Mar;110(2):48–61.
17. Howard AF, Zhou G, Omlin FX. Malaria mosquito control using edible fish in western Kenya: preliminary findings of a controlled study. BMC Public Health. 2007 Aug 9;7(1):199.
18. Chandra G, Bhattacharjee I, Chatterjee SN, Ghosh A. Mosquito control by larvivorous fish. Indian J Med Res. 2008 Jan;127(1):13–27.
19. Basabose K. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANOPHELISM OF FISH PONDS AND MALARIA TRANSMISSION AT LWIRO-KATANA, EASTERN ZAIRE.
20. dos Reis IC, Codeço CT, Degener CM, Keppeler EC, Muniz MM, de Oliveira FGS, et al. Contribution of fish farming ponds to the production of immature Anopheles spp. in a malaria-endemic Amazonian town. Malar J. 2015 Nov 14;14:452.
21. Afrane YA, Lawson BW, Brenya R, Kruppa T, Yan G. The ecology of mosquitoes in an irrigated vegetable farm in Kumasi, Ghana: abundance, productivity and survivorship. Parasit Vectors. 2012 Dec;5(1):233.
22. Fillinger U, Kannady K, William G, Vanek MJ, Dongus S, Nyika D, et al. A tool box for operational mosquito larval control: preliminary results and early lessons from the Urban Malaria Control Programme in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Malar J. 2008 Dec;7(1):20.
Published
2025-02-19
How to Cite
1.
Zingani E, Busiku CM, Mburu MM. Malaria Transmitting Anophiline Mosquito Larva in Fishponds of Mongu District, Western Province of Zambia. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 19Feb.2025 [cited 10May2025];8(2). Available from: https://nscme.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1332
Section
Biomedical Sciences
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