~ 31 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2016; 3(4): 31-35 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2016; 3(4): 31-35 © 2016 IJMR Received: 06-07-2016 Accepted: 07-08-2016 Celina O Aju-Ameh Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria Samson T Awolola Department of Molecular Entomology and Vector Control Research Laboratory Public Health Division, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria Georgina S Mwansat Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria Hayward B Mafuyai Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria Correspondence Celina O Aju-Ameh Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria Malaria transmission indices of two dominant anopheles species in selected rural and urban communities in Benue state North Central, Nigeria Celina O Aju-Ameh, Samson T Awolola, Georgina S Mwansat and Hayward B Mafuyai Abstract An entomological survey was piloted to generate baseline entomological data in some communities in Benue State where such information was not previously available. Indoor resting mosquitoes were captured using Pyrethrum Spray Catch (PSC) in 2015. Of the 1,734 mosquitoes captured 276 (16%), were Anopheles species. Molecular assays revealed the presence of Anopheles gambiae sensu. stricto and Anopheles arabiensis. Human blood meal source was within the range of 97% to 100% clearly expressing a high degree of human-vector contact. Circumsporozoite (CS) proteins infection status of engorged female species were determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The calculated Sporozoite Infection Rate (SR) for rural was 1.9% and 0% for urban communities respectively. The Entomological Inoculation Rates (EIR) recorded was 0.4% per person per night culminating in an annual 146 infective bites per person per year. Our observed data highlights some malaria risk indices in the study communities. Keywords: Malaria, transmission indices, vectors, rural, urban, Nigeria 1. Introduction Malaria is a preventable and curable but life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. These Anopheles species are widely distributed in Nigeria across all the ecological zones [1, 3, 4] Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis are the two dominant vectors of human malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. They occur in sympatry and are of the greatest medical importance as very efficient malaria vector species [2, 1, 5] Four species of the protozoan parasite exclusively transmitted to man by competent anophelines are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium Ovale, of which Plasmodium falciparum is the most pathogenic [6] . The main activity of these anopheline vectors of malaria that is the basis for this entomological survey is their blood feeding behaviour. Blood sucking arthropods were established as agents of human and animal disease in the last quarter of the 19 th century [7] . Most female Anopheles species feed on warm- blooded animals predominantly mammals; anthropophagic ones having a preference for man and zoophilic ones preferring other animals. The blood meal intake and the gonotrophic cycle are intricately related and blood feeding is the channel for parasite acquisition and transfer of malaria infection, [8] . This study presents the results of a semi-longitudinal entomological survey highlighting some of the malaria risk indices in the study communities. According to the latest WHO estimates, released in December 2015, [9] there were 214 million cases of malaria in 2015 and 438 000 deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden with 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths. It is estimated that 15 countries accounted for 80% of malaria cases and 78% deaths globally. The overall decrease in malaria incidence (32%) between 2000 and 2015 in the 15 countries that accounted for 80% of cases lags behind that in the other countries (53%). [9] The Carter Center in 2012 [10] reported that approximately 20-30% of all African malaria cases occur in Nigeria and Ethiopia while the WHO reports that both countries now account for more than 35% of the global total of estimated malaria deaths [9] .