A mother and her baby sleep under a mosquito net. Research from various malaria endemic regions in Kenya indicates that insecticides can no longer kill all anopheles mosquitoes that spread the malaria parasite. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
Malaria is still the leading cause of death in the country, killing about 23,000 people annually according to the 2014 Kenya Economic Survey.
The Ministry of Health has raised alarm over the rising cases of insecticide resistance among malaria causing mosquitoes in the country.
Research conducted in various malaria endemic regions in Kenya indicates that these insecticides can no longer kill all anopheles mosquitoes that spread the malaria parasite.
The insecticides are used in bed nets and indoor residual sprays which are key interventions in Kenya's fight against malaria.
“We really need to address this challenge so that we do not lose a major malaria control and prevention strategy,” noted Dr Waqo Ejersa, head of the Malaria Control Unit at the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia noted that the MOH had already trained 72 surveillance officers to monitor the effectiveness of the insecticides in 22 counties.
“This will provide us with information on the appropriate insecticides to use to address this challenge.”
Prof Solomon Mpoke, Kemri director and chief research officer, stated that the institution also seeks to conduct research into the effectiveness of natural pyrethrum which can then be used in the manufacture of new insecticides to replace the currently used synthetic pyrethrum.
Malaria is still the leading cause of death in the country, killing about 23,000 people annually according to the 2014 Kenya Economic Survey.
Consequently, it exerts a huge economic burden to the country. Research published in the 2013 Malaria Journal indicated that malaria costs the country about $109 million annually, excluding costs associated with productivity loss due to death.
If the latter costs are captured, the figure jumps to $250.7 million annually.
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