The Man-Biting Rate (MBR) of a mosquito vector is calculated as the number of female mosquitoes biting per man per night. In malaria entomological surveillance, which index combines MBR with the sporozoite rate to give the most direct estimate of malaria transmission intensity?
- A Human Blood Index (HBI)
- B Parity Rate
- C Entomological Inoculation Rate (EIR) ✓
- D Larval Density Index
Correct answer: C. Entomological Inoculation Rate (EIR)
Explanation
Entomological Inoculation Rate (EIR) = Man Biting Rate (MBR) × Sporozoite Rate. It represents the number of infective bites received per person per unit time — the most direct entomological measure of malaria transmission intensity. EIR values vary from <1 in low-transmission settings to >1000 in holoendemic Africa. Human Blood Index measures the proportion of mosquitoes that fed on human blood. Parity rate assesses the physiological age of mosquito populations (proportion that have laid eggs before).
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.