(Malaria Facts, 2014). Typically, the closer to the equator, the warmer the climate and therefore transmission becomes more vigorous and happens year-round. the most common strain P. Vivax, currently found in Belize, is more tolerant of lower everyday temperatures (minimum 59℉), than the other strains such as a minimum of 68℉ for (Malaria Facts, 2014). Villages in P. falciparum Belize that have high rates of malaria have been found to have more broadleaf hill forests, agricultural land, and wetland vegetation types. Proximity to a river also increases the rate (Hakre et al, 2004). Nutrient runoff from agricultural fields may have an effect on habitat used by species of The species, Anopheles. An. albimanus, An. vestitipennis, An. darling and An. are the most commonly found in Belize. is the most pseudopunctipennis An. albimanus widespread of the species and they breed in cyanobacterial mats, while prefers An. vestitipennis flooded forests and marshes with tall, dense vegetation (Pope et al., 2005). albimanus seems An. to be a poor vector for the species as it was found to have the lowest infection rate Plasmodium in studies (Hakre et al., 2004). An. and breed in streams and darling An. pseudopunctipennis rivers (Pope et al, 2005). Social and Economic Factors Rural areas are more prone to malaria in Belize, as with the rest of the world. In general, they tend to be poorer populations and cannot afford protection and healthcare, and sanitation is not optimal (Elimination of malaria in Belize, 2012). Work in agriculture can play a role in increased early morning and nighttime exposure to mosquitoes (Malaria Facts, 2014). Temporal Variation
(Malaria Facts, 2014). Typically, the closer to the equator, the warmer the climate and therefore transmission becomes more vigorous and happens year-round. P. Vivax, the most common strain currently found in Belize, is more tolerant of lower everyday temperatures (minimum 59℉), than the other strains such as a minimum of 68℉ for P. falciparum (Malaria Facts, 2014). Villages in Belize that have high rates of malaria have been found to have more broadleaf hill forests, agricultural land, and wetland vegetation types. Proximity to a river also increases the rate (Hakre et al, 2004). Nutrient runoff from agricultural fields may have an effect on habitat used by species of Anopheles. The species, An. albimanus, An. vestitipennis, An. darling and An. pseudopunctipennis are the most commonly found in Belize. An. albimanus is the most widespread of the species and they breed in cyanobacterial mats, while An. vestitipennis prefers flooded forests and marshes with tall, dense vegetation (Pope et al., 2005). An. albimanus seems to be a poor vector for the Plasmodium species as it was found to have the lowest infection rate in studies (Hakre et al., 2004). An. darling and An. pseudopunctipennis breed in streams and rivers (Pope et al, 2005). Social and Economic Factors Rural areas are more prone to malaria in Belize, as with the rest of the world. In general, they tend to be poorer populations and cannot afford protection and healthcare, and sanitation is not optimal (Elimination of malaria in Belize, 2012). Work in agriculture can play a role in increased early morning and nighttime exposure to mosquitoes (Malaria Facts, 2014). Temporal Variation