A STUDY OF THE ECOLOGY OF MALARIA VECTORS IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

• Main Author: Altman, Robert M
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: ANOPHELES; DISEASE VECTORS; DISEASES; ECOLOGY; GEOGRAPHY; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; INSECT REPELLENTS; INSECTICIDES; Medicine and Medical Research; MONKEYS; PANAMA; PLASMODIUM; SPRAYS; TABLES(DATA)

Malaria surveys and mosquito ecology studies were conducted in endemic areas in the Republic of Panama, various laboratory investigations as well as insecticide and insect repellent evaluations were also conducted. Nine malaria surveys confirmed opinions that Anopheles albimanus is the primary vector in the Sambu and Jaque river valleys although other species may be secondary vectors. Unsuccessful attempts were made to colonize A. oswaldoi and other Anopheles spp. A oswaldoi could not be infected by feeding them on monkeys infected with Plasmodium vivax. Aerial applications over the jungle of undiluted technical Fenthion applied at 0.32 pounds/acre reduced the Anopheles spp. population 95% after 25-30 hours, malathion applied at 0.62 pounds/acre gave 85% reduction after 25-30 hours. Insecticides were evaluated against Anopheles spp. on Army tenting; Malathion, Chlordane and DDT were ineffective after one week, Dursban was the most promising insecticide tested. N,N-diethyl- m-toluamide (deet) was the most effective of several repellents tested against A. albimanus in the field. Satisfactory equipment was designed and constructed for mounting on H-13 and UH-1 Helicopters for spraying concentrated insecticides. Other insect control methods were also evaluated.