A global map of dominant malaria vectors.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Global maps, in particular those based on vector distributions, have long been used to help visualise the global extent of malaria. Few, however, have been created with the support of a comprehensive and extensive evidence-based approach. METHODS: Here we describe the generation of a global map of the dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria that makes use of predicted distribution maps for individual species or species complexes. RESULTS: Our global map highlights the spatial variability in the complexity of the vector situation. In Africa, An. gambiae, An. arabiensis and An. funestus are co-dominant across much of the continent, whereas in the Asian-Pacific region there is a highly complex situation with multi-species coexistence and variable species dominance. CONCLUSIONS: The competence of the mapping methodology to accurately portray DVS distributions is discussed. The comprehensive and contemporary database of species-specific spatial occurrence (currently available on request) will be made directly available via the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) website from early 2012.

Authors: Sinka, M; Bangs, M; Manguin, S; Rubio-Palis, Y; Chareonviriyaphap, T

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Parasites and vectors
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 69
• Publication date: 2012-01-01
• DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-69
• EISSN: 1756-3305
• ISSN: 1756-3305
• Language: English
• Keywords: Animals; Phylogeography; Anopheles; Africa; Humans; Malaria; World Health; Disease Vectors