Scientists have discovered a new malaria-transmitting breed of mosquito which may pose an unknown threat in Kenya, where malaria is the leading cause of death.
Malaria, a preventable and curable disease, is generally known to be caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted to humans by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, which rests indoors and feeds on humans at night.
However, the newly-discovered mosquito has different habits. It is active outdoors and bites humans earlier in the evening, soon after sunset, according to researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
“These unidentified mosquitoes are potentially dangerous because they are outdoor active and early-biting, and so may evade the current indoor-based interventions to control mosquitoes,” Jennifer Stevenson, a research fellow at the school, said.
Current preventative programmes include spraying insecticide in homes and using bed nets for people to sleep under at night.
