The extermination of Anopheles gambiae in the Wadi Halfa area

The reasons for undertaking the extermination of A. gambiae are given. The work is of interest because the species was exterminated in an area which, though small, is a part of the Ethiopian region where A. gambiae has occurred for many years, and because extermination proved to be very easy. The probability of A. gambiae having occurred in the area for many years is discussed. The methods used, mainly dusting with paris green, are described. Evidence of extermination is discussed ; the absence of A. gambiae during the exceptional inundation of 1946 afforded additional proof of extermination. The effects of extermination are noted. The riverain area upstream of Saras, a possible source of reinfestation, is described, and other species of mosquitoes in the whole area are briefly discussed. Present and proposed future work are described.