International Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases (IJMTD) ISSN: 2953-2108 Vol. 3(1), pp. 075-081, September, 2019. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

The role of Gambusia affinis (exotic fish) as a Biocontrol measure against Malaria Vector (Anopheles arabiensis), Gezira state, Sudan

Isam Eldin.M.Taha¹, Abdelelelah.M.Elhassan².

Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan.

Corresponding author's E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 4^th  September, 2015.

Abstract 

Malaria is still one of the most widely stressing diseases today. A lot of efforts were made, especially biological control using fish to reduce the malaria vectors density. This research was carried out at South Gezira locality, Gezira state, Sudan, during the period (2009-2012). This research aimed to find out the role of the Gambusia affinis (exotic fish) as a biological control measure against malaria vectors (Anopheles arabiensis). Out of the seven agricultural sectors, El Hosh agricultural sector was selected as the study area due to it accessibility. El Gubshan sector was selected randomly as the control area. The method adopted include monthly entomological surveys to assess the density of adult and larvae of Anopheles arabiensis in both the study and control villages for three years. The data were analyzed by SPSS System (Statistical Package of Social Sciences). The results obtained showed that, the use of Gambusia affinis has been shown to be effective in controlling mosquito larvae (p<0.001). The study revealed that, the reduction in Anopheles larval densities a month after fish seeding reached 93.6%. The seasonal fluctuation of water in the irrigation canal causes changes in the habitats which is determinant to population of Gambusia affinis.

Keywords:Gambusia affinis, Biological control, Malaria Vector, Anopheles arabiensis, Mosquito larval.