Malaria vectors in Japan : except Nansei Islands

Abstract

The present paper will describe guidelines for a malaria vector survey by public health personnel engaged in entomological work. The history of the past 100 years of taxonomic studies on Anophelini mosquitoes in Palearctic Japan is reviewed. Among the mosquitoes recorded in the area, Anopheles sinensis was considered the main vector. However no survey designed to systematically assess the presence and abundance of malaria vectors has been carried out since malaria transmission was interrupted in the Islands. There is uncertainty about many aspects of a suspected vector Anopheles lesteri, particularly its distribution. It is recommended that an occasional survey should be carried out in this region considering the possible reintroduction of malaria to the Islands.