[Coastal urban malaria in Cotonou (Republic of Benin). Entomological study]

A one year entomological was carried out the survey in the coastal town of Cotonou to study the urban transmission of malaria. Three representative areas of Cotonou were chosen. The method adopted concerned night catches on human bait and dissection of A. gambiae s.l. The density of the vector (A. gambiae s.l.) fluctuated with the level of urbanization of the areas the annual aggressivity rates reached 1179 in the town center, 3666 in an the outskirts and 3363 in intermediate areas. Mean sporozoitic index was 1.7% and corresponding annual inoculation rate 46. In center of the town, transmission is seasonal and short, with a very high level. Sporozoitic index is 12% and the corresponding inoculation rate is 1.02. Outside of the town, transmission is seasonal and long: lasting 8 months. Transmission is imperceptible in the middle of the dry season and at the beginning of the long rain season. Malaria transmission into urban areas is generally low but in coastal like zones Cotonou, the intensity may be higher.