Groundbreaking Study Reveals Spread of Invasive Malaria Mosquito in the Horn of Africa

Contact: Kelly Craine, Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-297-9065
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A recent study led by Tamar Carter, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and tropical disease biologist at Baylor University, has uncovered critical insights into the spread of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive mosquito species, in the Horn of Africa. The findings, published in the Molecular Ecology, reveal how this mosquito, which can spread malaria, is establishing itself in new regions, posing a significant public health threat.

“Understanding the genetic structure and spread patterns of Anopheles stephensi is crucial for developing effective control strategies,” Carter said. “Our findings highlight the need for heightened surveillance and targeted vector control in identified hubs to combat the spread of malaria.”

KEY FINDINGS

• Spread Patterns: The study shows that Anopheles stephensi has spread from central locations like Djibouti to other areas in Ethiopia and Somaliland, forming four main genetic groups.
• Major Hubs Identified: Dire Dawa in Ethiopia emerged as a significant hub, with high genetic connectivity to other regions, indicating it plays a crucial role in the mosquito's spread.
• Genetic Diversity: The highest genetic diversity was found near Djibouti, suggesting it as the primary source of the mosquito's invasion in the Horn of Africa.
• Environmental Impact: The study did not find strong links between the mosquitoes' genetic diversity and environmental factors, likely due to the recent establishment of the species in the region.

IMPLICATIONS

This research provides vital information that can help target mosquito control efforts more effectively. By focusing on major hubs like Dire Dawa, public health officials can work to prevent future malaria outbreaks. The study underscores the importance of genetic analysis in tracking and managing the spread of invasive species.

“This study provides a valuable roadmap for public health interventions. By pinpointing key areas where the mosquito is most established, we can allocate resources more efficiently and protect vulnerable populations,” Carter said.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The research team emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and more extensive sampling to better understand the long-term impacts of Anopheles stephensi in the Horn of Africa. Integrating genomic and environmental analyses into future studies will be essential for designing timely and targeted control measures against this invasive species.

FUNDING AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health Research Enhancement Award (R15AI151766) and the Department of Biology at Baylor University. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamar Carter earned her Ph.D., in genetic and genomics and Master of Public Health at the University of Florida, where she studied genetic variation associated with parasite antimalarial resistance and host genetic red blood cell disorders in Haiti. Her interest in bridging research and public health led her to complete an internship at the UF Public Health Laboratory in Gressier, Haiti, and serve as a James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. 

During her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, her interests grew to include malaria vector surveillance through collaborations with Jigjiga University in east Ethiopia. Now at Baylor, Carter’s research program applies both molecular and data science approaches to investigate vector and parasite evolution, coevolution, and ecology to inform strategies for malaria control.

In addition to Carter, the research team included:

• Jeanne N. Samake, former graduate student*, Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas *Currently working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Philip Lavretsky, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso
• Isuru Gunarathna, graduate student, Department of Biology, Baylor University
• Madison Follis, undergraduate student, Department of Biology, Baylor University
• Joshua I. Brown, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University
• Said Ali, MPH, Ministry of Health Somaliland, Hargeisa, Somalia
• Solomon Yared, Ph.D., associate professor of medical entomology Department of Biology, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia

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