Entomological parameters involved in the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum in the Kabinda Health Zone (Lomami Province, DRC)

Malaria remains a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the majority of severe cases. The analysis of entomological parameters constitutes an essential approach to understand local transmission dynamics and to guide vector control strategies. The present study aimed to assess the entomological parameters involved in malaria transmission in the Kabinda health zone, Lomami Province, between September 2025 and January 2026. A descriptive and analytical study was conducted in four health areas (Kabinda, Kamukungu, Zewe, and Mbandaka). Mosquitoes were collected using Human Landing Catches (HLC) and Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSC), then morphologically identified. A total of 946 mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles were collected, dominated by Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus, the main malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. Vector density varied significantly between health areas (p < 0.05), with a higher aggressiveness observed in Mbandaka. Nocturnal dynamics revealed a peak activity between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. HLC collections showed a predominance of exophagic behavior (69%), although a non-negligible proportion (31%) was observed indoors. The trophic status of females collected by PSC highlighted a high proportion of blood-fed females (91%), reflecting intense human–vector contact. These results indicate sustained and spatially heterogeneous malaria transmission in the Kabinda area, characterized by high vector density and dominant nocturnal activity. They highlight the need to adapt control strategies to local ecological and behavioral specificities.