Abstract

MENDIZABAL ALCALA, María Elena et al. Larval presence of Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Havana, Cuba, 2010-2012. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2014, vol.66, n.2, pp.241-251. ISSN 0375-0760.

Introduction: Anopheles albimanus is the main malaria vector in Cuba. It is also distributed in several countries in the Americas. Objective: determine the larval presence of An. albimanus in the province of Havana in the period 2010-2012. Methods: sampling was conducted on a weekly basis during the period 2010-2012. The breeding sites surveyed were classified as natural permanent, natural temporary and artificial containers. Results: presence of An. albimanus was reported in 9 (60.0 %) of the municipalities sampled in 2010 and 12 (80 %) of those sampled in 2011 and 2012. The municipalities of Centro Habana, Plaza de la Revolución and Habana Vieja did not report any larval presence of An. albimanus in any of the three years. The province had an average 1 173.8 and 97.7 larval samples per year and month, respectively. In the municipality of Boyeros, the average was 922.6 per year and 76.8 per month. This is the municipality with the best surveillance of An. albimanus. The greatest presence of An. albimanus was found in natural permanent breeding sites, particularly ditches and natural ponds. Breeding sites were also found in 26 different types of artificial containers. An increase in the number of samples was observed from May to October. Conclusions: larval presence of An. albimanus was found in most municipalities throughout the year. Therefore, permanent monitoring of the species should be a priority of malaria surveillance in Havana.

Keywords : Anopheles albimanus; breeding sites; Havana; Cuba.

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