PMI VectorLink Project Zimbabwe Annual Entomological Report March 2022-December 2022

The report focuses on entomological monitoring activities conducted in four districts of Zimbabwe, including Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces. The primary objective of the report is to provide an overview of the vector composition, indoor and outdoor resting densities, and biting patterns of Anopheles mosquitoes. Routine vector bionomics longitudinal monitoring was conducted at three sentinel sites in Mashonaland East and one sentinel site in Manicaland. The results indicate that Anopheles funestus s.l. and Anopheles gambiae s.l. were the dominant species, accounting for 70% and 30% of the total Anopheles mosquitoes collected, respectively. Indoor resting densities of Anopheles mosquitoes were significantly higher in unsprayed sites compared to sprayed sites. Outdoor resting densities were also higher in unsprayed sites, particularly in Mashonaland East province. The report highlights the importance of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in reducing indoor resting densities of Anopheles mosquitoes. IRS spray quality and residual efficacy were monitored at three sentinel sites, and the results indicate that Fludora Fusion and DDT showed high residual efficacy against Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus s.l., respectively. Insecticide resistance monitoring was conducted at three sites in Mashonaland East province, and the results indicate that Anopheles gambiae s.l. showed high susceptibility to pyrethroid insecticides. Laboratory analysis of mosquitoes collected from sentinel sites revealed that Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus s.l. were the dominant species. Molecular identification of Anopheles species confirmed the presence of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus s.l. in all sentinel sites. Blood meal analysis revealed that Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus s.l. fed on human blood, while Anopheles arabiensis fed on animal blood. The report concludes that the PMI VectorLink Project's entomological monitoring activities in Zimbabwe have provided valuable insights into the vector composition, indoor and outdoor resting densities, and biting patterns of Anopheles mosquitoes. The results highlight the importance of IRS in reducing indoor resting densities of Anopheles mosquitoes and the need for continued insecticide resistance monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of vector control interventions.