Malaria mosquitoes from India spread throughout Africa. Scientists are concerned

Malaria mosquitoes from India spread throughout Africa. Scientists are concerned
Malaria mosquitoes from India spread throughout Africa. Scientists are concerned
Anonim

Researchers recently noticed that a species of mosquito, which is the main vector of malaria in India, has begun to spread in certain urban environments in East Africa. A new study has shown that invasive species of Asian mosquitoes are highly susceptible to indigenous strains of malaria. This indicates that insects may be causing a significant increase in malaria in East African cities.

A new species of malaria mosquito has emerged in African cities in the east of the continent, according to a new study. It can become a serious problem if not addressed.

The most common vectors of malaria in Africa are the Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus mosquitoes. Recently, however, in East Africa, researchers have discovered a new species of Anopheles stephensi mosquito. These insects are the main vectors of malaria in urban areas of India and parts of Asia, but they are increasingly spreading in cities in Ethiopia and Sudan.

A new study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases found that these invasive species were even more susceptible to indigenous malaria parasites than African mosquitoes.

Scientists examined two colonies: the indigenous Anopheles arabiensis and the invasive Anopheles stephensi. The mosquitoes were fed fresh blood contaminated with malaria. As a result, it turned out that in the colony of invasive species there were many more individuals infected with the malaria parasite.

Researchers warn that if Anopheles stephensi continues to spread to cities in Africa, the consequences will be serious.

“The city center has so far been the only safe haven for malaria in parts of Africa. But in the future, if Anopheles stephensi takes root, this will no longer happen,”the scientists write.

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