Mosquito Menace: Pakistan To Aid Nine African Nations to Combat Mosquito Threat

Nine African countries will be trained by Pakistan’s Malaria Control Programme to address the threat posed by a mosquito native to South Asia, which may lead to a rapid increase in malaria cases on the continent.

The decision was made after confirmation that an Indian-origin mosquito, which had existed in the subcontinent since long before partition, had reached Africa and was multiplying.

Pakistan To Train Africa For Mosquito Threat

“The Indian-origin mosquito named Anopheles stephensi was reported in Africa over a decade ago but during the last few years, it has rapidly spread in the continent and may further increase the malaria cases,” said Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, the head of the Directorate of Malaria Control, Pakistan, reported by Dawn.

China-Operated Gwadar Port In Pakistan Attacked: 8 Gunmen Neutralised, Says Authorities

There is concern that Africa, which already accounts for 92 per cent of global malaria cases annually, may face further challenges due to the introduction of the new mosquito species, which has no historical presence on the continent. It has been confirmed through genome sequencing conducted by the London School of Hygiene that the mosquito, although existing in the subcontinent since pre-Partition, reached Africa from India.

Genome sequencing, a technique utilized to determine the origin of viruses and living organisms, was employed for this confirmation. This technique has been extensively used to trace poliovirus cases reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan and identify their country of origin, as reported by Dawn.

Dr Mukhtar from the Directorate of Malaria Control stated that Pakistan has been chosen by the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN), an international body, to train the nine African countries in combatting the mosquito threat. It was noted that Pakistan and the Ministry of National Health Services were honoured by the selection of the organization’s Vector Control Working Group for training.

This recognition was attributed to the country’s efforts in mosquito control over the years. Dr Mukhtar mentioned that while there were only 375,000 reported malaria cases in 2021, this number surged to 3.2 million following the 2022 floods. However, he stated that the number has since begun to decline.

Dr Mukhtar further indicated that the majority of malaria cases in Pakistan were reported in Balochistan, Sindh, and former Fata, with Punjab also experiencing cases primarily in certain districts of south Punjab, as reported by Dawn.

Pakistan News: Nawaz Sharif’s Chairing Of Punjab Government Meetings Sparks Controversy

It was noted that Pakistan and the Ministry of National Health Services were honoured by the selection of the organization’s Vector Control Working Group for training. This recognition was attributed to the country’s efforts in mosquito control over the years. Dr Mukhtar mentioned that while there were only 375,000 reported malaria cases in 2021, this number surged to 3.2 million following the 2022 floods.

However, he stated that the number has since begun to decline. Dr Mukhtar further indicated that the majority of malaria cases in Pakistan were reported in Balochistan, Sindh, and former Fata, with Punjab also experiencing cases primarily in certain districts of south Punjab.