Which mosquito species is the principal vector of urban and peri-urban malaria in India?
- A Anopheles stephensi ✓
- B Anopheles culicifacies
- C Anopheles fluviatilis
- D Anopheles minimus
Correct answer: A. Anopheles stephensi
Explanation
Anopheles stephensi breeds in man-made water collections such as overhead tanks, cisterns, wells and construction sites, making it the dominant vector of urban malaria in India. Anopheles culicifacies is the major vector of rural malaria across the plains, while An. fluviatilis and An. minimis are associated with streams and hill or forest fringe areas respectively. Recognising this urban versus rural split guides locally targeted control.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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