Scientists recently discovered a latest species of mosquito that might spread malaria faster in Kenya.
The species, named Anopheles stephensi, was reportedly discovered by a team of researchers at Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), alongside the Ministry of Health’s Division of National Malaria Program (DNMP), based on the Kenyan newspaper The Standard.
Kemri scientists first discovered the species in Laisamis and Saku sub-counties in Marsabit during routine mosquito surveillance. They then confirmed the invention of the brand new species within the laboratory.
The brand new species is alleged to spread fast. Kenya is the sixth country on the African content to record the invasion of A. stephensi. The opposite locations were identified to be Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the detection in Kenya may translate to higher malaria transmission in urban settings within the country, posing a serious threat that might reverse the gains made within the fight against malaria,” Kemri said in a press release obtained by The Standard.
Unlike other species of malaria vectors that primarily thrive and breed in rural areas, A. stephensi proliferates in urban environments.
Kemri Acting Director-General Sam Kariuki explained that A. stephensi has three characteristics that pose a danger to humans. The brand new species is invasive, spreads very fast and might adapt to different climatic and environmental conditions.
“Anopheles stephensi is exclusive because it thrives in man-made containers resembling jury cans, tires, open tanks, sewers, cisterns, overhead tanks and underground tanks and polluted environments,” he added, as quoted by NTV Kenya.
The Ministry of Health is conducting further research to raised understand the brand new malaria vector. Meanwhile, experts recommend taking preventive measures resembling sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets amid its spread.
An estimated 247 million people world wide contracted malaria in 2021. The estimated variety of deaths resulting from the infection was 618,000 in that yr, based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO African Region carries many of the global malaria burden. About 95% of the cases and 96% of deaths resulting from malaria were recorded within the region in 2021.
The life-threatening disease is attributable to parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitos. Malaria infection mostly occurs in poor, tropical and subtropical places, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).