Background As much as malaria control interventions may be directed at restricting transmission through mosquito control and treatment of symptomatic cases, the effect of asymptomatic cases in the transmission of malaria has not been given too much attention. On the other hand, asymptomatic carriers do not seek treatment, becoming permanent reservoirs, and hence creating a real pose to the public health. Objective The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and its associated factors in Leaiten village, Eritrea. Methods 322 eligible participants were randomly selected and interviewed. Thin and thick blood films were collected and Giemsa-stained to determine blood parasitaemia and speciation using light microscopy. Multivariate Logistic Regression was used to assess relationship between the potential factors identified and asymptomatic malaria. Results The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 5.9%, with a predominantly higher proportion (P) of Plasmodium Falciparum (P= 94.7%, n=18) than Plasmodium Vivax (P= 5.3%, n=1). Most of the infections were low density and at their ring form (P = 94.7%, n = 18). Only one subject had medium density and a gametocyte stage infection (P = 5.3%). The odds of asymptomatic malaria by sex, age, occupation or education was not significantly different. Bed net usage in comparison to no usage was not a significant predictor of asymptomatic malaria (5.5% vs. 7.6, p-value = 0.519). Those with asymptomatic malaria who had previous malaria sickness (4.2%) was not significantly different to those who had never been sick (7.3%), (OR = 0.56, p-value = 0.248). People who lived near water body (8.5%) were equally likely to be asymptomatic to those who didn’t live near water body (4.9%), (OR = 1.82, p-value = 0.215), out of which, those who lived near open water body had no difference in acquiring asymptomatic malaria to those who lived near closed water body (OR = 2.26, p-value = 0.457). Conclusion This study indicated the hidden impact of asymptomatic malaria in perpetuating malaria transmission in the village. Further assessment of the impact of asymptomatic malaria, on malaria transmission, is needed based on a larger and more sensitive method.

Background: Even-though dengue fever suspicion started to surface in the high altitude localities of Zoba Maekel, presence of the vector has not been studied. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the availability of Aedes mosquitoes, their breeding preferences, and level of infestation in fifteen localities of this region.Methods: Inspection of all water holding containers, in 740 systematically selected households of fifteen localities, was done identifying immature stages of Aedes mosquitoes. All immatures were then, classified, reared and identified using taxonomic keys. Breeding preferences ratio and infestation indices were calculated.Results: In this study Aedes Aegypti mosquito was found in four localities, whereas mosquito of other Aedes specie was identified in twelve localities. Out of all the households inspected 51 were positive for Aedes immature. All indoor containers studied were free of Aedes infestation, whilst 53 of 874 outdoor containers were infested by Aedes larvae and pupae. In this study, discarded tyres were found to have the highest breeding preference ratio (2.11) and pupal productivity (40%). Plastic barrels had the highest positivity (42%) and were the second most productive type of container (28%). The Household, Container and Breteau Indices of more than half of the localities were higher than the high transmission risk thresholds.Conclusion: The study indicated possibilities of local dengue fever transmission in the studied areas. Hence, in depth confirmative studies should be considered and strategic preventive actions should be commenced in regard to the most preferred sites such as discarded tyres.