Impact of Malaria Vector Control Interventions at the Beginning of a Malaria Elimination Stage in a Dominant Area of Anopheles anthropophagus, Hubei Province, China.

Three towns with similar socio-ecological characteristics, malaria morbidities, and populations were selected for this study to explore economic and effective malaria control measures.The sources of infection were controlled in each town. Impregnated mosquito nets with 2.5% deltamethrin (15 mg/m(2)) combined with residual spraying of 5% cypermethrin (25 mg/m(2)) was implemented in cattle and pig pens, as well as in crowded sites in Chenji, whereas the mosquito nets were treated with 2.5% deltamethrin only in Guanqiao Town. All the control measures implemented in Fengling (control town) were the same as those implemented in the towns of Chenji and Guanqiao, except for mosquito elimination control. Results were evaluated and compared based on pathogens and entomology. The densities of Anopheles anthropophagus mosquitoes in houses, outside houses (man bait), as well as in cattle pens and pig pens were reduced by 100%, 71.96%, 94.01%, and 67.42%, respectively at all 4 sites in Chenji Town, whereas the density increased at 1 site (the outside house [man bait]) by 12.38%, while the densities at the other 3 sites (in houses, cattle pens and pig pens) were reduced by 99.63%, 18.71% and 69.44% respectively in Guanqiao Town. The biting rates of An. anthropophagus in the 3 towns were 0.11, 0.22, and 1.1 respectively in Chenji, Guanqiao, and Fengling. The incidence of malaria in the 3 towns decreased by 73.12%, 57.71%, and 65.71% in terms of annual average. Both impregnated mosquito nets combined with residual spraying and impregnated mosquito nets only reduced the density of An. anthropophagus in houses in the 2 towns, but reduction was more rapid in Chenji Town.