Isabella Moraa Attends the Annual Research Symposium at UKZN, South Africa

September 10th, 2016

In September 2016, Isabella Moraa, an Entomology student undertaking her PhD study within the TDR/IDRC Project B, attended and presented at the Annual Research Symposium at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s College of Health Sciences, in South Africa. This was a two-day event, held on the 8-9 September 2016. Isabella gave a presentation titled Distribution and Variability of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and Malaria Vector Species in Baringo County, Kenya, in which she reported identifying 26 mosquito species comprised of four RVF and three malaria vector species in Baringo County, Kenya.

She further reported that of the 12,204 mosquitoes collected, 49.4% were captured outdoors while 50.6% were captured indoors. Her research showed significant differences in the distribution of malaria and RVF vectors across the four zones; the lowland having the highest density, followed distantly by riverine zone. The highlands and midlands had relatively low numbers (>4% combined).

Isabella concluded that the findings of her study imply greater risk of malaria and RVF outbreaks in the low lying regions of Baringo County, which should guide targeted vector control measures.

The symposium was attended by international students from the Ivory Coast, Kenya and Tanzania. Their attendance was fully sponsored by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Detailed information on the symposium can be found here: http://ndaba-online.ukzn.ac.za/UkzndabaStory/159/c…

Isabella Moraa and other international students take a group photo with their host, Prof. Moses Chimbari (PI Project A) during the Annual Research Symposium at UKZN, South Africa.