JAKARTA - When scientists were still busy with the discovery of a new variant of the corona virus in South Africa or variant 501Y.V2. Africa has again attracted the attention of scientists with the emergence of a new variant of the malaria mosquito in a number of major cities on the continent.
The results of the latest study reveal that the emergence of a new mosquito in Africa has the potential to be devastating for those who live in the region. Where, it can cause transmission from animals to humans or between humans, because it is a vector.
"The larvae of Anopheles stephensi, the main vector of the malaria mosquito in India, are now found in sites across Africa," said researchers from the Netherlands Radboud University Medical Center and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute in Ethiopia.
From the research conducted, this species of mosquito only appeared in Africa a few years ago. Today, these invasive insects are found in water containers in Ethiopian cities and are particularly susceptible to local strains of malaria.
Most African mosquitoes that can transmit malaria are known to breed in rural areas. However, experts are concerned this particular mosquito has found a foothold in urban areas, including cities in Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti, which researchers say could increase the risk of malaria for urban populations.
Malaria, which is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito, is a preventable and curable disease. But in 2019, 409 thousand people died from these mosquito bites.
The African region is home to 94 percent of all malaria cases and deaths in 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The researchers themselves are studying whether mosquitoes pose a health risk by spreading the local malaria parasite.
"To our surprise, the Asian mosquito is apparently more susceptible to local malaria parasites than our Ethiopian mosquito colony. This mosquito appears to be a very efficient transmitter of the two main species of malaria," said Teun Bousema, Professor of Epidemiology, Tropical Infectious Diseases at Radboud University Medical Center. in Nijmegen, in a statement.
In the journal 'Emerging Infectious Diseases', the researchers warn of the importance of taking action to stop the spread of these mosquitoes in urban areas in Africa.
"We must target mosquito larvae in places where they are now occurring and prevent the spread of mosquitoes from a distance, for example through airports and seaports. If that fails, the risk of urban malaria will increase in much of Africa," advises Fitsam Tadesse, a doctoral student from the Department. Medical Microbiology at Radboud University Medical Center.
Separately, the Professor of Malaria Control and Vector Biology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine supports immediate preventive measures, considering that what is found is a vector.
"The study findings are significant. When these things first arrive, people say, it's just mosquitoes. We'd be worried about it when it's a vector," Lines said.
"The bottom line is, you can get rid of it when it's new, if you wait until it is established enough, so you realize that it really causes disease outbreaks. Sorry, it's too late. All you can do is fix the problem," added Lines.
Lines warned that if Anopheles stephensi spread to African cities, the consequences would be serious.
"The city center has until now been the only place of refuge from malaria in parts of Africa. If Anopheles stephensi has spread, the condition will be serious," concluded Lines.
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