Ifakara Masterclass Edition 21- Aedes & Stephensi: A MasterClass with Profs. Peter Ryan, Basile Kamgang & Fitsum G. Tadesse.

Aedes & Stephensi

The 21st edition of the masterclass hosted by Fredros Okumu from Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and Sheila Ogoma from Clinton Health Access Initiative(CHAI) features Profs. Peter Ryan, Basile Kamgang & Fitsum G. Tadesse.

The conversation starts off with Dr. Basile Kamgang giving a thorough description of Aedes mosquitoes specifically Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Blood feeding behaviours, resting behaviours, vector competence, aquatic ecology and biting preference is discussed in detail. The detection of albopictus species, its emergence in Africa and the need for efforts from entomologists for its active detection in East Africa is highlighted so that it doesnt go undetected and increase the burden of infectious diseases. 

Then Prof. Peter Ryan and Dr. Jeremie Gilles from the World Mosquito Program(WMP) discuss the WMPs focus on Aedes aegypti  as it is the main transmitter of dengue, zika, chickengunya and yello fever virus. The biology and effectiveness of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes for disease control is brought forward.

Then Fitsum Tadesse, Ayman Elamin and Sarah Zohdy dive into Anopheles stephensi, its invasion and spread, the threat it poses and whether it is a matter of urgency or not in Africa. The first record of An. stephensi in Africa in 2012 in Djibouti then in Ethiopia in 2016 was mentioned. The need for exploration of ecology and its transmission potential in Africa and the integration of An. stephensi management in malaria prevention activities is highlighted.