By Rachel Kakraba
An Epidemiologist, Prof. Fred Newton Binka has asked Ghana to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism to understand the possible effects the release of genetically modified mosquitoes from Burkina Faso could have on the country.
He stated this must be intensified in the Upper East and Upper West regions, to ascertain the impact, especially on human lives, agricultural crops as well as mosquito, to prevent potential adverse effects. Prof. Binka, stated this during an interview with GBCNEWS.
Every year, malaria kills approximately 405,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa, most of them children under the age of five years. In many countries, progress in malaria control has been threatened by the rapid spread of resistance to antimalarial drugs and insecticides.
Scientists the world over have been researching effective ways to combat the vector that spreads the disease. Described as a game changer scientists have been conducting research in the area of genetically modified mosquitoes, one of such is ongoing in Burkina Faso. Genetically modified mosquitoes, called a “sterile male” mutation when released, will not be able to have offspring, thereby reducing the mosquito population.
Prof. Binka said genetically modified mosquitoes are part of current research which seeks to break the chain of reproduction.
Prof. Binka said genetically modified mosquitoes are part of current research which seeks to break the chain of reproduction.
“We create modified mosquitoes, release them into the wild, and within a short time, we will decrease the density of mosquitoes in the wild, and thereby affect the transmission of the vector-borne diseases like malaria”
He said the movement of the mosquito cannot be controlled hence the need for Ghana to be on the lookout.
He said Ghana has come a long way in malaria research emphasizing the use of Insecticide Treated Nets as one of the effective malaria prevention. He encouraged its use among the populace, especially children under five and pregnant women.
He added “Larvae source mosquitoes in Ghana there’s a lot of work that goes on around the urban areas to look for the sources of the larvae then to try and clear the parasites in those areas. In addition, we are making sure that in most parts of our country today, we are monitoring each of the mosquitoes are resistant to the current that we use”
Prof. Binka who was speaking to GBCNEWS on the significance of the annual commemoration of World Mosquito Day, on August 20, said the day holds a lot of significance, especially for researchers in vector-borne diseases.
“A mosquito is a vector that transmits diseases from one person to the other. It was on this day on August 20th, 1897, that Sir Roland Ross found that the female Anopheles mosquito spreads malaria between humans. Before then, that link had not been made. We knew that there were parasites in the mosquito, but we didn’t see the link between man and the mosquito. That’s why that day is commemorated as a momentous part of our history”
Prof. Binka identified some gaps in research stating that “There’s a lot to be done, not only with the mosquito but the parasite itself”
He also called on the government to commit more resources to fight malaria in the country.
