Impact of urbanization on the abundance and distribution of Anophelines population in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background & objectives: In urban areas, upsurge in population has resulted in more breeding sites for malaria vectors, and hence this scenario potentially undermine malaria elimination and control programs. The change in land use due to urbanization may result in the presence and distribution of malaria vectors. Understanding potential malaria vectors is essential for current and future malaria transmission control strategies. This study investigated the effects of rapid urbanization on malaria vectors An. culicifacies s.l. and An. stephensi L. in Ghaziabad district. Methods: Ghaziabad district which presents several levels of urbanization was selected for this study. Entomological investigations were conducted seasonally from 2014-2016 in the rural, urban, and peri-urban regions. Vector incrimination study was done using ELISA (confirmation by PCR) on suspected Anopheles vectors viz. An. culicifacies, An. stephensi, An. annularis and An. subpictus. Results: An. culicifacies showed alteration in distribution influenced by rural and agricultural land whereas An. stephensi was found to be influenced by artificial habitats and population growth. Interpretation & conclusion: The study also confirms the association between the abundance of malaria vectors and land use change.