Scientists have found a way to make mosquitoes unable to spread malaria

Harvard University scientists have proposed a completely new approach in the fight against malaria — a disease that causes the death of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. According to a BBC report, they tested a method where mosquitoes are given special drugs that make them unable to transmit the infection.

Currently, the main method for fighting malaria is the use of insecticides — chemical substances that kill mosquitoes. However, in many countries, mosquitoes have developed strong resistance to these substances, and the effectiveness of insecticides has significantly decreased. That’s why scientists began researching a new method.

How does the new method work?

The specialists examined hundreds of drugs and identified two substances that are 100% effective in destroying malaria parasites inside the mosquito. These drug substances are absorbed into special nets, and when mosquitoes touch these nets, the drugs enter their bodies. Interestingly, even if the mosquito survives, all the parasites inside it are eliminated. As a result, even if it bites a person, it will not transmit the infection.

Researcher Alexandra Probst called this method a “revolutionary approach against mosquitoes.” She emphasized that such drugs are effective against parasite resistance, since the number of parasites in a mosquito’s body is very small — usually up to 5. This reduces the probability of disease transmission. In contrast, a human body can contain billions of parasites.

A brief about malaria

Malaria is a highly dangerous infectious disease that is usually transmitted by female mosquitoes. Every year, about 600,000 people die from this disease. Among children, the death rate is especially high. Malaria parasites are transmitted through blood, and can also spread via needles, medical instruments, blood transfusions, or organ transplants.

When will it be applied in practice?

So far, the method has been successfully tested in laboratory conditions. The next step is practical trials in Ethiopia. Scientists say it will take at least 6 years to fully test and draw reliable conclusions about the method.

If the results turn out positive, this could mark a completely new stage in the global fight against malaria. Because this time, it is not the human who is being protected — but the disease carrier, the mosquito itself. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!