MLW ongoing study finds mosquitoes changing feeding habits, prompting new malaria prevention strategies

Mosquitoes are adapting by changing their feeding habits seeking blood before and after people go to bed.

This is according to an ongoing study by the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme -MLW, which is exploring additional malaria prevention methods beyond nets and insecticides.

According to MLW researcher Emmanuel Harawa, the study is testing strategies that aim to reduce mosquito populations and encourage the insects to feed on animals instead of humans.

Among the interventions under trial are insecticides that kill mosquitoes after they bite animals treated with the chemicals, as well as research focused on altering mosquito feeding behaviour.

The study is being conducted in Chikwawa as part of MLW’s broader investigation into potential health risks linked to the construction of the Shire Valley Transformation Project in the Shire River basin in the district.