Anopheles Stephensi: New Malaria Vector Discovered In Northern Nigeria

The Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako, has said a new malaria vector has been discovered called Anopheles Stephensi in northern Nigeria.

Salako, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos said the new malaria vector is the most recent research discovery.

According to him, Anopheles Stephensi is a rugged vector which is very difficult to eradicate and had not been found anywhere near West Africa.

He said that this was a discovery by NIMR researchers and that had implications for malaria control in Nigeria, adding that NIMR currently was looking at vaccines.

“We have done a lot of studies on vaccines and we are looking at vaccine development.

“We are working with five groups in a consortium to develop world local vaccines in Nigeria which was different from production,” he said.

Salako said that the idea was to ensure that Nigerian researchers were able to take it from the beginning to the end in the development of vaccines.

"If tomorrow, we had a new epidemic or disease, known or unknown, it would be possible for Nigeria to develop its own vaccine", he said.