Alarms ring as deadly Asian malaria vector detected in Kenya.

• A deadly malaria vector, transmitter Anopheles Stephensi, has been detected in Kenya.
• Kenya is now the sixth and latest country in Africa to report an invasion of the deadly malaria species.
• Anopheles Stephensi originated in Southeast Asia, West Asia and Arabian Peninsula.

About Malaria

• Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito borne blood disease caused by plasmodium parasites.
• It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America as well as Asia.
• It is both preventable as well as curable.
• There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose greatest threat.
• Anopheles stephensi is capable of transmitting both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.
  • It is highly adaptive and can thrive in urban environments.