Detection of <i>Anopheles stephensi</i> Mosquitoes by Molecular Surveillance, Kenya
Eric Ochomo, Sylvia Milanoi, Bernard Abong’o, Brenda Onyango, Margaret Muchoki, Diana Omoke, Evelyn A Olanga, Laban Njoroge, Elijah O. Juma, James Dan Otieno, Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Luna Kamau, Cristina Rafferty, John E. Gimnig, Mildred Shieshia, Daniel Wacira, Joseph Mwangangi, Marta F. Maia, Charles Chege, Ahmeddin Omar, Martin Rono, Lucy Abel, Wendy Prudhomme O’Meara, Andrew Obala, Charles Mbogo, Lenson Kariuki
Abstract
The Anopheles stephensi mosquito is an invasive malaria vector recently reported in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Ghana. The World Health Organization has called on countries in Africa to increase surveillance efforts to detect and report this vector and institute appropriate and effective control mechanisms. In Kenya, the Division of National Malaria Program conducted entomological surveillance in counties at risk for An. stephensi mosquito invasion. In addition, the Kenya Medical Research Institute conducted molecular surveillance of all sampled Anopheles mosquitoes from other studies to identify An. stephensi mosquitoes. We report the detection and confirmation of An. stephensi mosquitoes in Marsabit and Turkana Counties by using endpoint PCR and morphological and sequence identification. We demonstrate the urgent need for intensified entomological surveillance in all areas at risk for An. stephensi mosquito invasion, to clarify its occurrence and distribution and develop tailored approaches to prevent further spread.