Anopheles sundaicus Mosquitoes as Vector for Plasmodium knowlesi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Apr;25(4):817-820. doi: 10.3201/eid2504.181668.

Abstract

Using PCR and sequencing, we found Plasmodium knowlesi in the malaria vector Anopheles sundaicus mosquito collected from Katchal Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. We cannot rule out natural transmission of this parasite to humans through this mosquito species. An in-depth investigation is needed to prevent disease outbreaks.

Keywords: Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Anopheles sundaicus; DNA; India; PCR; Plasmodium knowlesi; macaques; malaria; mosquitoes; parasites; vector-borne infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / parasitology*
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Incidence
  • India / epidemiology
  • Islands
  • Malaria / epidemiology
  • Malaria / parasitology*
  • Malaria / transmission*
  • Mosquito Vectors / parasitology*
  • Plasmodium knowlesi* / classification
  • Plasmodium knowlesi* / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan