Mosquitoes

Shocking! Researchers Discover Insecticide-Resistant Mosquitoes In Jigawa

Mosquitoes

Shocking! Insecticide Resistant Mosquito Discovered In Jigawa

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A group of researchers have discovered insecticide resistant mosquitoes in Jigawa State.

These researchers from the Federal University Dutse, found some species of mosquitoes that are resistant to insecticide-treated nets.

They, however, learned these mosquitoes aren’t resistant to a particular insecticide called Primiphosmethyl.

The Chief Information Officer of the University, Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya-Bello disclosed this in a statement.

He said the research was sponsored by the Global Program for Malaria Control. The GPMC is a surveillance for mosquitoes resistance against three classes of insecticides:

Pyrethroids.

Organochlorine.

Organophosphate.

Yahaya-Bello said the research was conducted in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

He explained:

“As part of the effort to contribute to the fight against malaria, a team of researchers at Federal University Dutse, led by Prof. Mustafa Dogara, has discovered species of mosquitoes in Jigawa that are resistant to most insecticide-treated nets available in the state except the nets treated with a particular insecticide called Primiphosmethyl.”

He said, quoting the lead researcher that the research became important when it was discovered that mosquitoes all over the world were becoming resistant to Long-Lasting Insecticides Treated Mosquito Nets (LLITN). Especially the ones coated with the pyrethroid insecticides.

He said samples of breaded mosquito larvae were collected from six local government areas of Jigawa. They are:

  • Dutse.
  • Birnin-kudu.
  • Kafin-Hausa.
  • Auyo.
  • Ringim.
  • Taura.

His words:

“The lead researcher said they collected mosquito larvae from the sites and grew them to adulthood in the laboratory where they were sorted into males and females before conducting the test to see their resistance to insecticides.

“Dogara further explained that the female anopheles mosquitoes with variants such as anopheles gambiae, anopheles collonzi and anopheles arabiensis were all resistant to bed nets coated with pyrethroids, organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides.”

Result

Only Primiphosmethl kills mosquitoes 100 percent.

Recommendation

The team recommended only bed nets coated with Primiphosmethl should be distributed to various states.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammed was hailed for being instrumental in this research. According to the lead researcher the VC enabled them to win the N4 million research grant from donors despite the tight competition from other institutions.

“The VC is keen to help staff win research grants because it’s part of the core mandate of universities,” he said.

The team comprised six entomology investigators, technicians, and six mosquito collectors.
Source: Punch HealthWise

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