The
Anopheles mosquito is the main vector of malaria. A lot of our control
programs are built around what we know about the female Anopheles and
her behaviour (as it is the female who spreads malaria, biting as part
of her reproduction cycle). We know that it rests during the day and
prefers to bite at night, so nets and sprays are used around these times
to deter attempts to feed.
However this
month
has seen the discovery of a new type of mosquito in western Kenya.
Researchers have not been able to match this mosquito's DNA to any known
malaria-carrying species. Two findings concerned the researchers -
first, that some of this species were infected with malaria, and
secondly that this species displays different biting behaviour. While
the Anopheles is active during the night, the majority of Species A
mosquitoes caught (Species A is a temporary title until it can be
properly named) were active during the evening.
This is a
problem because effective treatments, such as nets, are used during the
night - when Species A is active during the evening, many villagers are
still out and about. Bed nets are an important preventative measure and
if this new species does transmit malaria, we have lost an important
tool. The search for new ways to control malaria's spread may be more
needed than ever.
Photo credit: Darlyne A. Murawski.
http://www.independent.co.uk/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
The
Anopheles mosquito is the main vector of malaria. A lot of our control
programs are built around what we know about the female Anopheles and
her behaviour (as it is the female who spreads malaria, biting as part
of her reproduction cycle). We know that it rests during the day and
prefers to bite at night, so nets and sprays are used around these times
to deter attempts to feed.
However this
However this
month
has seen the discovery of a new type of mosquito in western Kenya.
Researchers have not been able to match this mosquito's DNA to any known
malaria-carrying species. Two findings concerned the researchers -
first, that some of this species were infected with malaria, and
secondly that this species displays different biting behaviour. While
the Anopheles is active during the night, the majority of Species A
mosquitoes caught (Species A is a temporary title until it can be
properly named) were active during the evening.
This is a problem because effective treatments, such as nets, are used during the night - when Species A is active during the evening, many villagers are still out and about. Bed nets are an important preventative measure and if this new species does transmit malaria, we have lost an important tool. The search for new ways to control malaria's spread may be more needed than ever.
Photo credit: Darlyne A. Murawski.
http://www.independent.co.uk/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
This is a problem because effective treatments, such as nets, are used during the night - when Species A is active during the evening, many villagers are still out and about. Bed nets are an important preventative measure and if this new species does transmit malaria, we have lost an important tool. The search for new ways to control malaria's spread may be more needed than ever.
Photo credit: Darlyne A. Murawski.
http://www.independent.co.uk/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
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