Mosquitoes are not the major culprits for the high burden of malaria in Nigeria: a commentary

Abstract

Globally, Nigeria contributes the greatest proportion of the malaria disease burden. She currently bears the heaviest malaria burden (25% cases) and (19% deaths). Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes however, a higher parasite biomass (99%) is found in man while only one (1%) is found in mosquitoes. Lending credence to this is the outcome of investigations carried out in Gboko and Otukpo Local Government Areas (LGAs); in which more humans (36.8%) had the malaria parasites than the anthropophagic female Anopheles (0.5%). Control efforts focused on mosquitoes are undermined by the actions or inactions of humans. Nigeria needs to self-audit her role in sustaining the heaviest burden of a preventable, curable disease that can also be eliminated. She can only ignore this imperative at her own peril.

Keywords

• malaria
• mosquitoes
• nigeria