The spread of the mosquito species Anopheles stephensi across Africa poses a significant problem to a continent already heavily burdened by malaria. Most – 90% – of the world’s malaria deaths are on the continent.
Researchers from Djibouti reported the presence of An. stephensi in the Horn of Africa in 2012. Until then it had not been found in Africa although it was known to be widespread in Southeast Asia and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. By 2017 it had spread through the Horn of Africa, reaching Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. The spread of An. stephensi is particularly concerning because the mosquito has a number of characteristics that make it difficult to control. This species can thrive in urban areas and likes being near humans. They lay their eggs in any available water source – such as water containers, abandoned tyres and flowerpots – and their eggs can survive being dry for a long period of time. In addition, An. stephensi feeds on its vertebrate host both indoors and outdoors. This reduces the impact of commonly used vector control methods such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. The invasion of this urban mosquito into Africa threatens the malaria elimination aspirations of the continent, particularly as 42.5% of Africa’s population now live in urban areas.
As a result, national malaria control programmes have increased surveillance efforts in urban areas to enable early detection and control. Countries have also run awareness campaigns to encourage communities to reduce potential breeding sites. The species has not yet been detected in southern Africa. Nevertheless the South African national malaria control programme, with the support of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, is increasing surveillance activities in areas where this species may occur. Many epidemics and pandemics have been driven by pathogens, hosts and vectors invading new areas. These include the Black Death in 14th century Europe, caused by the invasion of rats carrying fleas infected with the plague. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) both carry dangerous diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and Zika. The spread of these mosquito species into North America and Europe during the 1970s and 1980s was associated with large increases in these diseases. While Aedes mosquitoes transmit viral diseases, Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria. Of the 500 Anopheles species, only 30-40 can spread malaria. Common species that transmit malaria in Africa are Anopheles gambiae, An. arabiensis and An. funestus. Anopheles gambiae is one of the most effective malaria vectors in the world. It invaded South America in the 1930s. This species rapidly established itself in Brazil, causing a malaria epidemic with an estimated fatality rate of 13%. Anopheles gambiae was eventually eliminated from Brazil in the 1940s after a highly co-ordinated and resource-intensive effort.
Source: This news is originally published by allafrica