Impact of dams and irrigation schemes in Anopheline (Diptera: Culicidae) bionomics and malaria epidemiology

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Jordi Sanchez-Ribas, Gabriel Parra-Henao, Anthony Érico Guimarães
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 2012
• Subjects: Malaria transmission; Anopheles bionomics; Water development project; Control; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Human health
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652012000400001; https://doaj.org/article/e0a5f10920b9494a9fcf961a9a88800a

Irrigation schemes and dams have posed a great concern on public health systems of several countries, mainly in the tropics. The focus of the present review is to elucidate the different ways how these human interventions may have an effect on population dynamics of anopheline mosquitoes and hence, how local malaria transmission patterns may be changed. We discuss different studies within the three main tropical and sub-tropical regions (namely Africa, Asia and the Pacific and the Americas). Factors such as pre-human impact malaria epidemiological patterns, control measures, demographic movements, human behaviour and local Anopheles bionomics would determine if the implementation of an irrigation scheme or a dam will have negative effects on human health. Some examples of successful implementation of control measures in such settings are presented. The use of Geographic Information System as a powerful tool to assist on the study and control of malaria in these scenarios is also highlighted.