Novel vectors of malaria parasites in the western highlands of Kenya

Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Sep;18(9):1547-9. doi: 10.3201/eid1809.120283.

Abstract

The main method of malaria control is based on a simple premise: avoid mosquito bites by killing the mosquitoes. This concept relies on spraying insecticides indoors and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets because it is assumed that malaria mosquitoes spend most of their time indoors and feed at night. That is, until now. A recent study has identified new species of mosquitoes that prefer to be outdoors and to feed earlier in the evening. These behavior patterns could render current control practices ineffective. New malaria control methods need to be developed according to the specific behavior of all the different vectors.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / classification
  • Anopheles / genetics*
  • Anopheles / parasitology
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / classification
  • Insect Vectors / genetics*
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Kenya
  • Malaria / transmission*
  • Phylogeny

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer