New Study links ‘Super Mosquitoes’ To Higher Rates Of Malaria In Africa

(CTN News) – The urban areas of Africa are currently facing a severe crisis caused by an invasive super mosquito that carries malaria. This mosquito, which originated from Asia, has been causing widespread destruction.

Shockingly, scientists have recently discovered that this mosquito has developed resistance to all insecticides, resulting in a significant increase in malaria cases across the Horn of Africa.

According to a report by The Telegraph, there has been speculation in recent years about the potential role of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito in the sudden rise of malaria cases in at least five African countries.

This particular mosquito is native to parts of Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.

Its arrival in Africa has had a devastating impact, with infections in Djibouti alone increasing by a staggering 2,800 percent within just eight years since its first sighting in 2012.

However, up until now, the influence of An. stephensi on malaria transmission in Africa has been based on anecdotal evidence, as stated by Dr Luigi Sedda, an epidemiologist at Lancaster Medical School.
The exceptional adaptability of the super mosquito is one of its most notable characteristics.

This insect has proven to be highly adaptable to various environments, including both urban and rural settings. Its adaptability is further enhanced by its ability to breed in a wide range of water containers, such as discarded tires, flower pots, and even bottle caps.

In addition to its adaptability, the super mosquito’s resilience is also a key factor in its success. This insect has developed resistance to a broad range of insecticides, making it extremely difficult to control.

The fact that it can evade eradication efforts highlights the need for innovative and sustainable mosquito control strategies.

According to a recent report published in Nature Medicine, researchers have found strong evidence that the stephensi mosquito is driving urban malaria outbreaks in Africa.

The report tracked a specific outbreak on a university campus in Dire Dawa, a city in eastern Ethiopia, less than 150 miles from the border with Djibouti.

According to the research findings, there has been a significant Mosquito surge in malaria cases in Dire Dawa during the dry season of 2022 as compared to 2019.

To investigate the root cause of this increase, scientists conducted a mapping exercise to determine the distribution of mosquitoes and their proximity to affected patients. The study highlights the crucial role played by these insects in the transmission of the disease.

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