JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – A mosquito called Anopheles stephensi that transmits malaria has been detected for the first time in Ethiopia.
A study led by Baylor University researcher, Assistant Professor Tamar Carter has revealed that the discovery of this type of a mosquito has implications for putting more people at risk for malaria in the country.
Carter said they need to confirm that Anopheles stephensi carries malaria parasites in the country. She said if these mosquitoes carry malaria, there may be an emergence of malaria in new Ethiopian regions.
“From a public health standpoint, or that mosquito populations are increasing where they were once were scarce,” said Carter.
She said they also need to investigate how the mosquito got to Ethiopia and other parts of the Horn of Africa.
“The question I am particularly interested in is if Anopheles stephensi is a relatively recent introduction or something that has been flying under the radar in Ethiopia for a long time,
“Clarifying this will help guide better mosquito control efforts in Ethiopia,” she said.
Carter said they are now planning to use genomic techniques to study the history of Anopheles stephensi in Ethiopia.
She emphasised that more research needs to be done in the country. This will include researching the feeding and breeding behavior of this Anopheles stephensi, and how well it responds to insecticides. She said this will determine best ways to control the mosquito population
Anopheles stephensi is normally in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and China. Previous research revealed that more than 68 percent of Ethiopian population is at risk for malaria.
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