Invasive Anopheles stephensi in Africa: Insights from Asia
Published:
Resources: Journal article
Authors: Roz Taylor, Louisa A Messenger, Tarekegn A Abeku, Sian E Clarke, Rajpal S Yadav, Jo Lines
The Asian mosquito species Anopheles stephensi is spreading rapidly through sub-Saharan Africa. This paper reviews the characteristics that are allowing it to thrive and that set it apart from native malaria vectors in the region.
Anopheles stephensi is a highly competent urban malaria vector species, endemic in South Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has colonised eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since 2013 and is now spreading uncontrollably. In urban areas of Africa, where malaria transmission has previously been low or non-existent, the invasion of An. stephensi represents a significant problem, particularly to immunologically naïve populations. Despite this rapidly advancing threat, there is a paucity of information regarding the bionomics of An. stephensi in SSA. Here, we offer a critical synthesis of literature from An. stephensi’s native range, focusing on the future of An. stephensi in a rapidly urbanising Africa, and highlighting key questions that warrant prioritisation by the global malaria vector control community.
Published in Trends in Parasitology
Citation: Trends in Parasitology, 2024; 40(8): 731-743.
