Infection status of mosquitoes in Kunga Community of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes constitute serious health, economic and social problems, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. This study aimed to examine the salivary glands of Anopheles mosquitoes for sporozoites and the culicine mosquitoes for filarial worms in Kunga community of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Adult mosquitoes were collected by Pyrethrum Spray Catch (PSC) and identified with morphological keys. The salivary glands of the female mosquitoes were then dissected to check for Plasmodium sporozoites and third-stage infective nematode larvae (L3i). A total of 75 mosquitoes were collected from 20 households. Out of which 18 representing 24.0% were Anopheles gambiae and 57 representing 76.0% were Culex quinquefasciatus. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the species composition of the mosquitoes with sex. All the 18 (100%) of An. gambiae mosquitoes collected were females, while 55 (96.49%) out of the 57 Culex quinquefasciatus were females and 2 (3.51%) were males. The population of mosquitoes in relation to house types showed no significant variation (P > 0.05). Although there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the infectivity status of the mosquitoes, the distribution of the infection status by mosquito species showed that 12 females of An. gambiae representing 66.7% were infected with Plasmodium sporozoites, while 19 females represented 34.5% of Cx. quinquefasciatus were infected with L3i. The lack of good drainage and sewage systems in the study area could be one of the factors contributing to the mosquito burden and therefore health education will go a long way in sensitizing the inhabitants on the importance of environmental and personal hygiene.