Nigeria faces the risk of increased malaria infection as mosquitoes develop resistance to nets

NIGERIA faces the risk of increased incidents of malaria after findings from the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) revealed that there is an increasing incidence of mosquitoes becoming resistant to long lasting insecticide nets (LLIN).

According to date just published based on research in 18 states of the federation, mosquitoes are developing immunity to these nets, which could result in the over 50m Nigerians who test positive to malaria annually, increasing. Lagos, Ogun and Niger states have the highest incidence of resistance cases and other states where resistance is rampant include Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

NIMR's deputy director and head of its public health department, Dr Sam Awolola, said that since 2003, over 182m LLINs had been distributed in Nigeria. However, he added that there has only been a 16% reduction rate in incidences noted between 2008 to 2011 which has not been sustained.

Dr Awolola regretted that one of the consequences of the development was that more deaths from malaria were imminent in the affected areas, adding that the situation called for great concern. He blamed the new trend of resistance to use of same reagents on agricultural products, stressing that one of the major factors that contributed to insecticide resistance is the use of same reagents for agriculture globally.

According to Dr Awolola, most of the insecticides used in public health are also used in agriculture, which is a major source of resistance. Corroborating his views, the NIMR director-general Professor Babatunde Salako, said the progress Nigeria had made in combating malaria was under threat due to the spread of insecticide resistance.

Professor Salako added: “There is clear evidence that insecticide resistance has been confirmed in at least 20 states across Nigeria. There is a gap of resistant data in 14 states which requires urgent attention.”

He explained that such resistance could lead to public health crisis, as insecticide resistance could quickly over power the current portfolio of vector control tools, especially LLINs. In addition, Professor Salako said it was high time the country did away with one-size-fits-all approach and embrace multiple vector control interventions.