A team of researchers at the Federal University, Dutse (FUD) has discovered some species of mosquitos that are resistant to insecticide-treated nets in the state.
The research, sponsored by the Global Program for Malaria Control under the Surveillance for Mosquitoes Resistance against three classes of insecticides (Pyrethroids, Organochlorine, and Organophospates), was conducted in the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Only nets treated with a particular insecticide called Primiphosmethyl had an effect on the mosquitos.
The Chief Information Officer of FUD, Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya-Bello announced this in a statement.
“As part of efforts to contribute to the fight against malaria, a team of researchers at Federal University Dutse, led by Prof. Mustafa Dogara, has discovered species of mosquitoes in Jigawa that are resistant to most insecticide-treated nets available in the state except the nets treated with a particular insecticide called Primiphosmethyl,” Yahaya-Bello said.
He reported the lead researcher as saying the research was necessary when it became obvious that mosquitoes all over the world were developing resistance to Long-Lasting Insecticides Treated Mosquito Nets (LLITN) coated with pyrethroid insecticides.
The chief information officer added that the team identified mosquito-breeding sites and collected samples of larvae from six local government areas of Jigawa namely Dutse, Birnin-Kudu, Kafin-Hausa, Auyo, Ringim, and Taura.
According to him, the research finding showed that only Primiphosmethl insecticides kill mosquitoes effectively.
Alhaji Yahaya-Bello added the team recommended that only bed nets coated with Primiphosmethl should be distributed in Jigawa State.
Various institutions competed to get the N4 million grant that enabled FUD to carry out the research with a team of six entomology investigators, technicians, and six mosquito collectors.
