Mosquitoes in 18 states ‘develop resistance to insecticide nets’

The Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, has said that mosquitoes in 18 states have developed resistance to insecticide nets.

The report of a study carried out to this effect by scientists at the NIMR was presented on Tuesday, PUNCH reports.

Sam Awolola, lead researcher and the deputy director & head, public health department, NIMR, said that insecticide resistance was detected in Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

Lagos, Ogun and Niger states were said to have recorded the highest incidence of resistance.

“Most of the insecticide products used in malaria control is also being used in agricultural sector in Nigeria. This over-saturation is a major source of resistance,” Awolola was quoted as saying.

Babatunde Salako, director-general of NIMR, also warned that the progress made in malaria control in the country was under threat due to the discovery.

“There is also a gap in the availability of resistant data in 14 states, which requires urgent attention. There is need to urgently explore alternative non-chemical base control measures.

“It must empower scientists to explore the use of alternative mosquito control measures such as the sterile insect techniques and genetically modified mosquitoes for malaria control,’ Salako said.