Ghana urged to broaden mosquito-control efforts beyond malaria

Ghana joined the world in observing World Mosquito Day, with health experts urging the nation to expand its mosquito-control efforts beyond the traditional focus on malaria. The Vector Research Group of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research organized a webinar to mark the day in Accra, highlighting the need to address emerging mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.

Dr Hilarius Abiwu, Programme Manager of the National Malaria Elimination Programme at the Ghana Health Service, presented data showing a rise in dengue cases, with 206 confirmed instances in 2024 out of 1,471 suspected cases. He explained that dengue symptoms often mimic those of malaria, which can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.

Aedes mosquitoes, responsible for transmitting dengue, are more active during the day and can breed in stored water around homes, emphasizing the importance of environmental sanitation for prevention. Despite funding constraints, the Ghana Health Service is striving to map disease risks, improve research and surveillance, and train health workers to differentiate between dengue and malaria.

Professor Kingsley Badu, from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, stressed the importance of understanding mosquito species behavior for effective prevention strategies, calling for better sanitation and addressing insecticide resistance. The African Media and Malaria Research Network echoed these calls, advocating for renewed investments in science, innovation, and public education to combat evolving mosquito-borne disease threats across Africa.