KEMRI: Scale up malaria prevention measures
Written by RadioVuna on February 20, 2023
A dangerous mosquito vector,by the name Anopheles Stephensi, has been discovered by the Kenya Medical Research Institute(KEMRI).The mosquito has the ability to thrive both in rural and urban areas and this puts the country at risk of increased potential malaria infections,which in turn is likely to slow down the progress of the fight against malaria to a greater extent.
According to an internal memo published by the KEMRI acting director general professor Samuel Karioki states that, the new malaria transmitter has been first discovered in Laisamis and Saku subcounties in Marsabit and it is a threat to the whole nation due to its adaptative nature.
KEMRI outlines that the mosquito vector can survive in man-made containers such as jerricans,tyers,open tanks,sewers and cisterns,overhead and underground tanks and generally polluted envvironments.This is anticipated to increase the risk bracket of malaria infections in the country since the mosquito can as well adapt to different climatic and environmental conditions.
Before its debut in Kenya, Anopheles Stephensi had been common in South East Asia,the middle east and the Arabian peninsula for its occurrence and the spread of malaria.
The research institute further states that the species has been expanding its geoghraphical range over the last decade having been detected in areas such as Djibouti,Ethiopia and Sudan,Somalia and Nigeria.
A warning has therefore been issued by KEMRI urging all Kenyans to be vigilant in exercising prevention measures against malaria such as the use of mosquito nets,use of mosquito repellents and wearing long sleeved clothes that will protect them from mosquito bites.
Kenya has depicted significance improvements in reducing malaria cases with the countrys malaria prevalence rates dropping from eight percent(8%) to five percent(5%) in the last five years.
The government of kenya has come in handy through interventions that include distribution of insecticide treated nets,routine spraying of mosquito larvae,issuance of sulphur tablets to pregnant women and the incorporation of malaria vaccines into childhood immunization programs.
