Malaria, which is mostly caused by Plasmodium vivax in Bhutan, is a vector-borne disease involving certain Anopheles species. Female Anopheline mosquitoes acquire the parasite Plasmodium, when they feed on an infected human. Transmission occurs when these infected mosquitoes subsequently feed on uninfected humans. However, there is a high degree of heterogeneity in malaria transmission. If the loss of efficacy in insecticides was accurately reported, the outbreak in 2009 indicates that the environment itself is conducive for malaria vector population to expand and come in contact with humans.
Sarpang district has a wide range of altitudes (200 - 2000meters). The low elevation, coupled with high temperature and rainfall, makes the southern-most part of the district suitable for Anopheles species. Additionally, agricultural activities, particularly paddy cultivation, are prominent at this elevation. Irrigated areas, usually for paddy, is widely known to be suitable as mosquito breeding grounds. As part of my project from OEFS Spring 2014, change in agricultural areas as well as their irrigation activities at Sarpang-Assam border prior to and during the outbreak was explored using remote sensing tools. To improve land cover classification for further investigation of Sarpang district, ground truth data will be collected in Summer 2014.