[Larval presence of Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Cuilicidae) in Boyeros municipality].

Introduction: malaria was eradicated in Cuba in 1967; however, the intensification of this disease worldwide and the huge flow of people from endemic areas make the re-introduction of malaria in Cuba possible.

Objective: to detect the presence of Anopheles albimanus (main malaria vector) in permanent and temporary breeding sites in a municipality of the City of Havana, Cuba.

Methods: the research study was undertaken in Boyeros municipality in 2008. The sampling frequency was weekly. The permanent breeding sites under study were dams, natural lagoons, oxidation lagoons, ditches, absorbing wells, activation ditches, Inhoff tanks, streams and rivers whereas ponds were considered as temporary reservoirs.

Results: a total number of 466 sites were positive to An. albimanus. The highest number of breeding sites was located in Mulgoba with 114 and the lowest figures went to Capdevilla with 30; November was the months exhibiting the highest number of positive breeding sites with 72 whereas April was the month having the lowest quantity (16). Similar values were found in the number of breeding sites in the two seasons of the year (dry and rainy) with 234 and 232 respectively.

Conclusions: Anopheles albimanus were found in permanent breeding sites located in Boyeros municipality in all areas and throughout the whole year; therefore, being on the alert must be a priority action in the surveillance system of malaria in this municipality.