In 2012, an unusual outbreak of malaria occurred in Djibouti City followed by increasingly severe annual outbreaks. Investigations revealed the presence of an Asian mosquito species; Anopheles stephensi, which thrives in urban environments. Anopheles stephensi has since been identified in Ethiopia and Sudan.

By combining data for An. stephensi across its full range (Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Horn of Africa) with spatial models that identify the species’ preferred habitat, we provide evidence-based maps predicting the possible African locations where An. stephensi could establish if allowed to spread.  

A two year data collation process was conducted as part of the HumBug Project to build on the existing MAP database of global occurrence data for the Asian DVS of human malaria. Using the MAP data abstraction protocol additional searches of the published literature (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) were conducted extending the occurrence data from 2010 to 2016 and where possible, disaggregated sibling species data from the existing data across the full time period (1985 – 2016). Only those records with reliable reported identification methods (i.e. molecular methods distinguishing siblings) were included. Additional searches were conducted to include specific reports of An. stephensi in Africa.

The data is ready to use for niche modelling. It includes all citations to the original data source.