Integrated practice of field science contributing to monkey malaria (Plasmodium knowlesi) control from an eco-health perspective

According to reports so far, the population at risk of monkey malaria infection in the survey area is primarily those who live in natural forest areas such as hunter-gatherers and slash-and-burn farmers, and secondly, those who live in natural forest areas. They have been described as field laborers on established plantations (rubber and oil palms). However, there are still many unclear points regarding the actual population at risk of monkey malaria infection and the natural environment where monkey-to-human infection occurs. In this study, a geospatial and time-series analysis was performed of monkey malaria epidemics in the study area using malaria surveillance data from a total of 6,245 individuals (2017-19). Based on the results of land cover classification using earth observation satellite data, we statistically analyzed the natural environment (land cover and land use) around the Pk infection site. As a result, the natural environment of the epidemic area is roughly classified into 6 types (Forest Type 1 (F1), Forest Type 2 (F2), Shrub (S), Urban (U), Cropland (C), Waterside (W)). It became clear that Aggregating the number of cases by environmental type, the numbers were 31.2% (F1), 17.1% (F2), 20.6% (S), 14.9% (U), 9.4% (C) and 5.7% (W). The natural environment (forest zone type, plantation zone type) that has been pointed out until now accounted for 68.9% (F1, F2, S) of all cases. On the other hand, it became clear that there are 30.0% of fashionable locations of urban type (C) and rural type (C, W) that have not received attention so far. In addition, in preparation for the resumption of field surveys, a demonstration experiment was conducted of a mosquito repellent machine and a double mosquito net developed independently in Japan (Nagasaki). This allowed the improvement of the efficiency of mosquito ecological surveys when surveys were resumed after travel restrictions were lifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project details

Combination of Interventions
Epidemiology
Leadership & Governance
Surveillance

Apr 2020 — Mar 2024

$154,987

Japan

Plasmodium knowlesi