Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes as vectors of Plasmodium vivax and falciparum, Horn of Africa, 2019

An. stephensi, an efficient malaria vector in parts of Asia and Africa, was observed in 75.3% of water sources surveyed, and contributed to 80.9% of wild-caught Anopheles mosquitoes in Awash Sebat Kilo, Ethiopia. High susceptibility of these mosquitoes to Plasmodium falciparum and vivax infection presents a challenge for malaria control in the Horn of Africa. This study was conducted in Awash Sebat Kilo, Ethiopia, an area of perennial malaria transmission, from April to September 2019. We examined aquatic habitats for immature-stage Anopheles mosquitoes by standard dipping (10x/site) for 5 consecutive days. We assessed mosquito resting, feeding, and host-seeking behavior.