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2 clusters · 4 sources · 2 days · First seen · Last updated

Malaria control challenges in Africa

Overview

Malaria control efforts in Africa are facing significant biological challenges as parasites and mosquitoes evolve to bypass current interventions. In Ethiopia, reported cases reached a seven-year high in 2024, with research indicating that parasites are developing genetic mutations to evade artemisinin-based drug treatments and HRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests.

To address these threats, scientific efforts are shifting toward next-generation control methods. In South Africa, researchers are exploring genetic-based mosquito control, including the sterile insect technique (SIT) and gene drive technology. Similarly, in Ghana, studies are being conducted on mosquito populations to counter insecticide resistance and behavioral changes. While insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have historically prevented a vast majority of cases, researchers emphasize that continuous monitoring and the development of new tools, such as advanced ITNs and vaccines, are necessary to stay ahead of rapid evolutionary changes in mosquitoes.

Entities

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · National Institute for Communicable Diseases · Malaria Atlas Project · Ethiopian Public Health Institute · Joannitta Joannides

Timeline

  1. 17 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Mosquito research in Ghana aims to combat malaria resistance

    Scientists in Ghana are studying mosquito evolution to protect the effectiveness of malaria prevention tools like insecticide-treated nets, which have prevented billions of cases in Africa.

  2. 19 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Malaria control faces challenges from drug resistance and mosquito adaptation

    Malaria cases are surging in Africa as parasites develop resistance to drugs and diagnostics, prompting scientists to develop genetic-based mosquito control technologies like gene drives and SIT.

Sources

ghanamma.com · nicd.ac.za · thechronicle.com.gh · time.news