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Under the microscope: Anopheles stephensi

This month: Anopheles stephensi

What is Anopheles stephensi?

A. stephensi is a mosquito that has historically been considered an Asian malaria vector and has been one of the major drivers of transmission in cities across India, Iran and Pakistan, as well as the Arabian Peninsula.

Has it been in the news?

Yes. A paper in The Lancet Global Health warns of the growing threat of malaria potentially spreading to countries where the disease is not typically endemic.

How is A. stephensi involved?

The rapid increase of A. stephensi across urban settings from east to west Africa poses a threat of malaria spreading to warmer European countries around the Mediterranean over the next decade.

Tell me more.

A. stephensi is native to China, parts of Asia and the middle east, but was discovered in Africa in Ethiopia in 2012. Because it shares similar behaviour patterns to the Aedes mosquito, which is responsible for the morbidity burden of the dengue virus now present in 129 countries, urgent action is needed.

What are the risks?

With a large proportion of urban residents more immunologically susceptible than rural communities, those infected are at greater risk of developing severe clinical symptoms with higher risk of death.

What can be done?

Richard Allan, lead contributor to the paper, said: “We can stop the spread of A. stephensi in African urban settings by using improved community-based vector control practices, such as managing water storage and waste removal.”

Where can I read more?

Visit – bit.ly/3gGykll

 

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