Mosquitoes as vectors of avian malaria

Mosquito traps were set up at the zoo as part of a research project by the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zurich in collaboration with Zoo Zurich. The occurrence of different mosquito species and their possible role as vectors of avian malaria are being investigated. For this purpose, the trapped mosquitoes and a blood sample from the birds kept at the zoo are tested for the presence of the parasites.