Mapping Malaria Transmission Risk in Northern Morocco Using Entomological and Environmental Data

E Adlaoui (1) , C Faraj (1) , M El Bouhmi (2) , A El Aboudi (2) , S Ouahabi (1) , A Tran (3, 4) , Didier Fontenille (5) , R El Aouad (1)

1 Institut National d'Hygiène [Maroc]
2 UM5 - Université Mohammed V de Rabat [Agdal]
3 UPR AGIRs - Animal et gestion intégrée des risques
4 Cirad-ES - Département Environnements et Sociétés
5 MIVEGEC-DEEVA - Diversity, ecology, evolution & Adaptation of arthropod vectors

Malaria resurgence risk in Morocco depends, among other factors, on environmental changes as well as the introduction of parasite carriers. The aim of this paper is to analyze the receptivity of the Loukkos area, large wetlands in Northern Morocco, to quantify and to map malaria transmission risk in this region using biological and environmental data. This risk was assessed on entomological risk basis and was mapped using environmental markers derived from satellite imagery. Maps showing spatial and temporal variations of entomological risk for Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum were produced. Results showed this risk to be highly seasonal and much higher in rice fields than in swamps. This risk is lower for Afrotropical P. falciparum strains because of the low infectivity of Anopheles labranchiae, principal malaria vector in Morocco. However, it is very high for P. vivax mainly during summer corresponding to the rice cultivation period. Although the entomological risk is high in Loukkos region, malaria resurgence risk remains very low, because of the low vulnerability of the area.

Domaines: Santé publique et épidémiologie; Maladies infectieuses; Maladies émergentes

E Adlaoui, C Faraj, M El Bouhmi, A El Aboudi, S Ouahabi, et al.. Mapping Malaria Transmission Risk in Northern Morocco Using Entomological and Environmental Data. Malaria Research and Treatment, 2011, 2011, pp.391463. ⟨10.4061/2011/391463⟩. ⟨hal-03059525⟩