Impact of environmental factors on the bionomics of Anopheles mosquito vectors of zoonotic malaria: A narrative review.

The increasing burden of non-human primates (NHP) malaria, driven primarily by Plasmodium knowlesi, poses a growing public health threat in many countries across Southeast Asia. Compounding this challenge, the emergence of other NHP Plasmodium species infecting humans, including P. cynomolgi, P. inui, and P. fieldi, introduces additional complexity to malaria elimination efforts, particularly in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A complex interplay among human populations, vector dynamics, and environmental factors influences the transmission and prevalence of this disease. This narrative review delves into the current vectors of NHP malaria in Southeast Asia, highlighting the crucial role of environmental determinants in shaping the bionomics of Anopheles mosquito vectors. Key environmental factors, such as temperature fluctuations, relative humidity, elevation, precipitation patterns, seasonality, and land use, play a pivotal role in shaping vector abundance and survival, ultimately influencing the transmission intensity of zoonotic malaria. Adopting a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health, is crucial for unravelling these complex dynamics. Advancing this integrated framework will require continued research and understanding of vector ecology across diverse environmental settings and geographical regions. This review provides comprehensive information on vector bionomics in relation to the changing environmental factors, besides highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary strategy that integrates vector surveillance, sustainable land management, and targeted public health interventions to inform effective, evidence-based malaria control efforts in Southeast Asia.