Share

Mosquito vector spreads to 5 African countries

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article

  • A mosquito species considered to be an Asian and Arabian Peninsula malaria vector, has spread to at least five African countries in the past decade.
  • It could pose a significant threat to the control and elimination of malaria in the region, according to the World Health Organisation.
  • Africa is home to 95% of the world's malaria cases.

A mosquito species known as Annopheles stephensi, which is historically considered to be an Asian and Arabian Peninsula malaria vector, has spread to at least five African countries in the past decade, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

And, "with more than 40% of the population in Africa living in urban environments, the invasion and spread of Anopheles stephensi could pose a significant threat to the control and elimination of malaria in the region", the organisation said in a recent statement.

READ | Western Cape girl diagnosed with malaria, infection potentially linked to Mozambique traveller

The first African country where the mosquito was detected was Djibouti in 2012. It then spread to Sudan and Ethiopia in 2016, to Somalia in 2019 and to Nigeria in 2020.

In 2019, the WHO came up with a "vector alert" dossier that highlighted that the species, if allowed to spread, could lead to a continental epidemic.

Dr Jan Kolaczinski, who leads the Vector Control and Insecticide Resistance Unit within the WHO's Global Malaria Programme, said there were fears that it could have spread to more African countries.

He said in a statement:

It is important to underscore that we still don't know how far the mosquito species has already spread and how much of a problem it is or could be.

The organisation is also "still learning about the presence of Anopheles stephensi and its role in malaria transmission in Africa", he added.

The best way around it is a new initiative that, according to the WHO, will be integrated into its global vector control response for 2017 - 2030.

The key areas it is looking into are increasing collaboration among African member states, strengthening surveillance; research; and developing a guidance plan.

Africa is home to 95% of the world's malaria cases and 96% of malaria-related deaths.

Children under the age of five account for about 80% of the malaria deaths in the region, according to United Nations data.


The News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The stories produced through the Africa Desk and the opinions and statements that may be contained herein do not reflect those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 424 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 600 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.93
+0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.90
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.40
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
+1.3%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE