I. Purpose:

To develop an experimental protocol for collecting and identifying mosquito larvae that, when implemented together with other environmental measurement protocols developed by the GLOBE Program, will:

1.Provide valuable data that relate environmental conditions to breeding patterns of malaria-bearing and non-malaria-bearing mosquitoes.

2.Increase the level of understanding about malaria among students, teachers, and communities in countries where this disease is endemic.

II. Background:

Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes in the genus Anopheles. It causes more than 300,000,000 acute illnesses and more than one million deaths annually, including the death of one African child every 30 seconds.

Recent epidemiological trends include increases in malaria mortality and the emergence of drug- resistant parasites.

Some experts believe that predicted climate changes during the 21st century will bring malaria to areas where it is not now common.

There are dozens of Anopheles species and sub-species that are adapted to a wide range of micro-environmental conditions encountered in Madagascar's variable climate. These variable conditions, along with increased population mobility, actually reduce levels of immunity and produce sporadic malaria outbreaks with high mortality.

III. Why GLOBE?

GLOBE Program provides an ideal framework: a highly structured system for defining experiment protocols that ensure consistent procedures, a widely dispersed network of observing sites, and a centralized data collection and reporting system.

Current GLOBE protocols for basic meteorological and water quality are already in place.

Current emphasis by GLOBE on developing stronger national and regional programs focused on environmental issues of national and regional concern.

IV. Protocol Summary

Identify and characterize potential mosquito breeding sites.

Collect larvae samples with dip net (5 dips per session).

Observe water quality, vegetation, and potential larvae predators around collection site.

Count larvae and identify at genus level as Anopheles (which transmit malaria) or non-Anopheles (which do not transmit malaria).

V. Implementation in Madagascar

Summer, 2005: GLOBE/Madagascar (Mr. Rafalimanana) shared project with scientists and ministry officials in Madagascar (the University of Antananarivo, National Institute for Pedagogical Training, Ministry of Health, Centre National d’Applications et des Rescherches Pharmeceuticques (CNARP), Ministry of Education).

October 2005: With support from GLOBE Program (Brooks and Boger), developed a draft protocol for the collection and identification of the mosquito larvae. Teachers and students from selected schools received training in this new GLOBE protocols as well as basic meteorological and water quality protocols (in time for mosquito breeding season).

Some difficulty in collecting samples, but no difficulty distinguishing between Anopheles and Culex larvae. Revisions to protocols addressed sample collection difficulties and classroom interpretation.

Spring 2006, first data reports from 2 schools.

The GLOBE/Madagascar Malaria Project: Creating Student/Educator/Scientist Partnerships With Regional Impact

David Brooks (brooksdr@drexel.edu) Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 United States

Rebecca Boger (rboger@globe.gov) GLOBE Program, 3300 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301 United States

Albert Rafalimanana (globemcar@wanadoo.mg) GLOBE Madagascar, Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research, Anosy Antananarivo, 101 Madagascar

Table 2. Site 2. Lycée Philbert Tsiranana, small former salt marsh, 13 April 2006.

Table 4. Site 4. Lycée Miandrivazo, Tolaria, pond, March 2006.

Table 1. Site 1. Lycée Philbert Tsiranana, lake near maize and cassava fields, surrounded by mango trees, 10 April 2006.

Table 3. Site 3. Lycée Miandrivazo, Tolaria, irrigation ditches, March 2006.

VI. Conclusions

In less than one year, a new protocol has been developed and implemented, primarily by the GLOBE Program in Madagascar.

Government, education, and public health officials have taken ownership of the project.

Preliminary data demonstrate the validity of the project concept. They already show some interesting data trends, raise new questions, and suggest where improvements can be made in this protocol.

Water ConditionA. funestus/

CulexpH T  C Predators

Clear, no aquatic plants

15/11 9 27None

Disturbed by women washing and kids playing

4/1 10 27--

Surrounded by aquatic vegetation

66/3 8 29--

Thick vegetation2/1 8 27

Laccophilus (water beetles), dragon fly larvae

Vegetation, no pellicules

19/2 7 27Frogs

Water ConditionA. funestus/

CulexpH T °C Predators

Clear, no pellicules, sparse vegetation, small mangroves

23/6 7 29--

Clear, visible bottom, no pellicules, mangroves, water lilies

3/1 10 30Laccophilus

Clear, visible bottom, no pellicules, mangroves

69/25 8 29--

Clear, visible bottom, no pellicules, mangroves

38/13 6 35--

Pellicules2/1 8 30

Laccophilus, Frogs

Water ConditionA. funestus/

CulexpH T °C Predators

04 March, Irrigation ditches, stagnant water, proximate houses, sunny, silt and mud, Graminaeas, E. crassipes, herbaceous, ~18cm deep

0/29 -- 34

Unidentified?

11 March 0/70 -- --

Water ConditionA. funestus/

CulexpH T °C Predators

18 March, 8-33 cm deep, E. Crassipes, Oriza sativa, Polygonum sp.

1/11 -- 33

--

25 March 13/1 -- 34 --