Entomological investigations in the region of the last malaria focus in Morocco.

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the risk of malaria transmission resumption in Morocco, we have studied the current level of receptivity of the region of the last malaria focus in the country. Anopheles (Anopheles) maculipennis labranchiae and Anopheles (Cellia) sergentii, the major vectors of malaria in Morocco, are still presents but their anthropopathic index was low and no parasite positive samples were detected. An. labranchiae was very rare; only 34 females were caught over all the study period. The human biting rate was nil and none of its blood meal was human. An. sergenti was more abundant but its low human aggressiveness and its zoophilic behaviour would not attribute to this species an important vectorial capacity. Thus, the receptivity of Chefchaouen province, the region of the last malaria focus in Morocco, under the current vector control measures undertaken by Public Health services, is low and despite the likely presence of Plasmodium vivax gametocyte carriers, the malariogenic potential appears to be low and the risk of malaria resumption is, at this time, unimportant.