Entomological Studies on the Impact of a Small-scale Irrigation Scheme on Malaria Transmission around Ziway, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Larval and adult anophelines were sampled around Ziway, CentralEthiopia. Throughout the study period, significantly higher densities ofAnopheles pharoensis and An. arabiensis were found in the village withirrigation than in the village without. Canal leakage pools, irrigated fieldsand irrigation canals were the major sources of Anopheles larvae. Mostadult anophelines were found to feed on humans, especially before 22hrs,and up to 1% were infected with malaria parasites. This study demonstratedthat due to poor maintenance, irrigation schemes create conducive breedinggrounds for malaria vector mosquitoes and hence increase the risk ofmalaria transmission.