Assessing the role of spatial heterogeneity and human movement in malaria dynamics and control

► We analyzed a two-patch model for malaria with different levels of transmission in each patch. ► We found that human movement can cause malaria to persist where it would die out if region was isolated. ► Ratio of mosquito lifespan to extrinsic incubation period determines best control measure. ► Asymmetric movement can cause low transmission patch to be the better target for malaria control.