Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
20 August 2024 | 08:30 CAT
2 min read

On World Mosquito Day 2024, we reflect on the groundbreaking discovery made by British physician Sir Ronald Ross in 1897, which identified the female Anopheles mosquito as the vector responsible for transmitting malaria. Celebrated annually on August 20th, this day not only commemorates a pivotal moment in medical history but also highlights the ongoing global struggle against mosquito-borne diseases.

These diseases, including malaria, continue to pose significant public health challenges, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

In an interview with Radio Islam, Dr. Taneshka Kruger, Project Manager and Coordinator of the Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (ISMC) at the University of Pretoria, emphasised the significance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently signed between the University of Pretoria’s ISMC and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. Dr. Kruger highlighted that this MOU represents a collaborative commitment to tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by malaria.

“The SADC region which consists of the 16 member states, include some of the country’s most heavily affected by malaria globally. While the SADC nation share the goal to eliminate malaria by 2030, only 3 countries have achieved that up to now. This MOU aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration in the region,” she said.

According to Dr Kruger, Malaria is a complex disease, not only due to its biological intricacies but also because both the mosquito vector and the malaria parasite are continually adapting. Mosquitoes have developed resistance to certain insecticides, while the parasite itself has become resistant to some antimalarial drugs. These adaptations pose significant challenges to control efforts. Additionally, ongoing funding challenges hinder the development and distribution of effective treatments and preventative measures, complicating the global fight against malaria.

“Mosquitos are the smallest killers in the world, killing more than 700 000 people each year. Malaria is a major killer among the mosquito-borne diseases, specifically in Africa, 94 % of malaria cases are found in Africa. This is a major concern,” she said.

She explained that researchers conduct ongoing surveillance by collecting mosquitoes from areas where people have been bitten to determine if they are malaria-carrying species. These mosquitoes are predominantly found in the northeastern parts of the country. For malaria transmission to occur, both the parasite and the mosquito vector need to be present in the same area.

Dr Kruger highlighted that fortunately, cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria have not had significant issues with malaria, but this is changing due to the impacts of climate change, which may expand the range of these mosquitoes.

Dr Kruger advised on the simplest and most effective ways to prevent malaria are using insecticide-treated nets in malaria-prone areas and taking prophylactic medication and repellents when traveling or living in these regions. These measures significantly reduce the risk of mosquito bites and help protect individuals from contracting malaria.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Dr. Taneshka Kruger, Project Manager and Coordinator of the Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (ISMC) at the University of Pretoria, here.