The PMI VectorLink Sierra Leone Annual Entomological Monitoring Report

The report focuses on entomological monitoring activities conducted in Sierra Leone as part of the PMI VectorLink Project. The report highlights the importance of entomological monitoring in understanding the dynamics of malaria transmission in Sierra Leone. The PMI VectorLink Project aims to reduce malaria transmission by identifying and addressing the primary vectors of the disease. The project's entomological monitoring activities involve the collection and analysis of data on mosquito populations, including their density, species composition, and susceptibility to insecticides. The report presents the results of longitudinal monitoring, which involved the collection of adult mosquitoes using three methods: pyrethrum spray catch (PSC), CDC light traps, and human landing catches (HLC). The data collected during this period show that the indoor resting density (IRD) of Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes was highest in the Bombali and Kono districts. The abdominal condition of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes collected by PSC showed a significant proportion of mosquitoes with poor abdominal conditions, indicating a high level of malaria transmission. The report also presents the results of laboratory analysis for species identification and infection detection. The data show that An. gambiae s.l. was the primary species collected during the monitoring period, with a small proportion of Anopheles funestus s.l. mosquitoes also collected. The analysis of mosquito samples for Plasmodium infection showed that the majority of infected mosquitoes were An. gambiae s.l. The report highlights the importance of insecticide resistance monitoring in reducing malaria transmission. The data show that An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes were susceptible to pyrethroids, chlorfenapyr, and clothianidin, but showed resistance to deltamethrin, permethrin, and alpha-cypermethrin. The report recommends further studies to determine the mechanisms of resistance and to develop strategies to mitigate its impact. The report also presents the results of PCR analysis for the mechanism of resistance. The data show that the kdr mutation was present in a significant proportion of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes, indicating a high level of resistance to pyrethroids. The report concludes that the PMI VectorLink Project's entomological monitoring activities have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of malaria transmission in Sierra Leone. The data collected during this period have informed the development of strategies to reduce malaria transmission, including the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying. The report recommends continued entomological monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of these strategies and to identify new challenges and opportunities for reducing malaria transmission. The report also highlights the importance of capacity building in entomological monitoring and malaria control. The PMI VectorLink Project has provided training and technical assistance to local health workers and researchers to enhance their capacity to conduct entomological monitoring and malaria control activities. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the PMI VectorLink Project's entomological monitoring activities in Sierra Leone during the period from May 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019. The data collected during this period have informed the development of strategies to reduce malaria transmission and have highlighted the importance of continued entomological monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of these strategies.