The invasive anopheles stephensi mosquito, which was first was detected in Marsabit and Turkana in 2022, has now infested nearly the entire Northern Kenya, public health officials report.
They also predict the mosquito has spread to 12 other counties at the Coast, Central, Eastern and Rift Valley.
The finding is critical because the mosquito is reported to be resistant to all classes of insecticides used against adult malaria vectors in the region.
Stephensi is endemic to India where it is the primary vector of urban malaria. The World Health Organization said it is a highly efficient vector, capable of transmitting both plasmodium falciparum and p. vivax malaria parasites.
Unlike other mosquitoes, it thrives in urban environments and can survive extreme temperatures, making it a significant threat to malaria control and elimination efforts, particularly in Africa.
