The MalariaWorld Journal

The authors of this article aimed to determine malaria occurrence and its association withmeteorological variables in the highland fringe of Butajira, Southern Ethiopia from parasitological and metrological data. They found no significant association between malaria occurrences and meteorological variables between January 2000 and December 2009; therefore non-climatic factors together with climatic variables should be assessed to know the spread and intensity of malaria in the highland fringe of Butajira. This report also warrants the Ministry of Health to include highland areas in its current malaria control campaign so as to address those non-endemic foci of the country.

[Note: Review & author's response included]

Experimental huts have played a long and illustrious role in the study of mosquito vectors of disease. Here we present a design of a novel, cheap, 12 sided, experimental hut based on the African roundhouse. The panels covering each side can open and act as a door and above each panel there is a shutter that can also open. This allows for a great combination of possible openings for the study of entry and exit behaviour of mosquitoes. Preliminary results describing the exit behaviour of Anopheles funestus when four of the panels were open are described.

[Note: Review & author's response included]

This article describes the use of distribution patterns of human and mosquito populations as well as characteristics of candidate outdoor interventions, showing that it is possible to readily determine suitable areas for targeted positioning of odour-baited lure and kill stations, to improve vector control interventions. This study also highlights possibilities of relying on community knowledge to approximate areas where mosquitoes are most abundant and where to locate outdoor complementary interventions such as odour-baited lure and kill stations for controlling disease-transmitting mosquitoes. 

The history of malaria control in Uganda, the difficulties experienced in past and current control efforts, and the challenges lying ahead are being reviewed in this article. A case is made for the advantages that localised responsiblity and interventions may bring, particularly for rural communities.