Incorporating the effects of humidity in a mechanistic model of Anopheles gambiae mosquito population dynamics in the Sahel region of Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low levels of relative humidity are known to decrease the lifespan of mosquitoes. However, most current models of malaria transmission do not account for the effects of relative humidity on mosquito survival. In the Sahel, where relative humidity drops to levels <20% for several months of the year, we expect relative humidity to play a significant role in shaping the seasonal profile of mosquito populations. Here, we present a new formulation for Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) mosquito survival as a function of temperature and relative humidity and investigate the effect of humidity on simulated mosquito populations.

Methods

Using existing observations on relationships between temperature, relative humidity and mosquito longevity, we developed a new equation

SUBMITTER: Yamana TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3750695 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature