New Mosquito Species Could Derail Fight Against Malaria

Stagnant water in one of Nairobi’s residential areas. Credit: Wilson Odhiambo/IPSBy Wilson OdhiamboNAIROBI, May 8 2023 (IPS) ‘Urban’ Kenya has been alerted because new mosquito species, Anopheles stephensi, threatens to derail decades of effort made in the fight against malaria. According to a report by experts from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the species was first noted during routine mosquito surveillance in Saku and Laisamis villages in Marsabit County. The report states that, unlike the traditional mosquito vector, the Anopheles stephensi can adapt to man-made habitats that include plastic containers, discarded car tyres and open sewer lines—this makes urban centres a hot spot for their prevalence. Anopheles stephensi is endemic to South Asia and Arabian Peninsula, where it is a known carrier for two malaria variants Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. It was first noted at the Horn of Africa ten years ago in Djibouti, after which it was later tracked down in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan in 2019. The species is also known to survive through different climatic conditions, which can enable it to cause problems all year round if left uncontrolled. ‘’This mosquito most likely spreads through ships coming in from Asia since genetic analysis of many of the samples collected in Africa shows they are closely related to those found in Asia. Once they got to Africa, it is highly likely they have been transported southwards on the road,’’ said Dr E...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Africa Climate Change Development & Aid Environment Featured Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies TerraViva United Nations IPS UN Bureau IPS UN Bureau Report Kenya Source Type: news