Assessing the impact of topography on malaria exposure and sensitivity in Western Kenya Highlands

Meeting: Multilateral Initiative on Malaria International Conference, 2-6 November 2009, Nairobi, KE,Findings reveal that drainage characteristics of valley systems affect exposure to malaria parasites as well as immune responses to malaria. The presentation data shows the prevalence of malaria infections, antibodies and gametocytes. Using topography maps of affected areas can help identify exposure and allow for scarce resources to be focused on these areas for disease control. Residents of “V- shaped” valleys are at risk of having explosive malaria outbreaks during hyper transmission periods due to a low immune response of this population to malaria. Immune response antibodies and gametocytes were higher in children living in the “U-shaped” valleys