Summary
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KMRI Anopheles stephensi, a new mosquito variant
- It is invasive, spread very fast to new areas and is adaptive to different climatic and environmental conditions
- The variant is prevalent in Asia
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has detected a new mosquito vector that thrives both in urban and rural settings.
Through an internal memo, the institute said the new vector was known to occur r and spread malaria in South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Arabian Peninsula.
The mosquito species has been expanding its Geographic range over the last decade, with detections reported in Djibouti (2012), Ethiopia and Sudan (2016), Somalia (2019), and Nigeria (2020).
The research institute identified the new vector as Anopheles stephensi.
“Our surveillance studies indicate that the new vector, unlike the traditional malaria-causing mosquitoes namely Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funfests, is not only invasive and can spread very fast to new areas, but also adaptive to different climatic and environmental conditions,” the memo read.
KEMRI Acting Director General Prof Sam Kariuki warns that the new variant may translate to higher malaria transmission in urban and peri-urban settings in Kenya posing a serious threat that could reverse the gains made in the fight against malaria
Prof Kariuki says the new mosquito vector is unique as it thrives in man-made containers such as jerry cans, tyres, open tanks, sewers, cisterns, overhead tanks, and underground tanks and in polluted environments.
The research institute together with the Ministry of Health has put in place efforts in research activities in Laisamis and Saku sub-counties of Marsabit County in the Northern region of the country where the Anopheles stephensi vector samples were first detected and confirmed through laboratory assays at KEMRI.
“KEMRI continues to conduct routine entomological surveillance in counties at risk of this vector in order to determine the extent of vector distribution and mosquito infectivity rates. We call on the staff and the public to continue utilizing the available malaria control tools such as the use of mosquito nets, repellants, and wearing long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites.”
