Malaria remains an important public health concern in Kenya. Vector control employing mainly insecticide use is a key component of the malaria control strategy but the continued efficacy of this approach is threatened by widespread development of insecticide resistance. Additionally, ecological and adaptive changes in mosquito populations, such as changes in vector species composition and behaviour may reverse the gains witnessed in malaria control in the country. An improved understanding of the molecular, ecological and evolutionary processes driving these changes is critical if malaria vector control interventions are to be effective and appropriate for particular settings. The goal of this project is to generate high-quality genomic data that will allow decision-making for effective vector control. Malaria vectors sampled from the five malaria epidemiological zones of the country and characterised by insecticide resistance status, and those from across different historical time-points will be analysed by Whole Genome Sequencing to provide information on levels of gene flow, genetic diversity and population genetic size changes and potentially identify markers for insecticide resistance monitoring. These specimens will also represent genetic samples currently missing from the larger effort to describe the range of genetic variation and the rate of gene flow in malaria vectors in Africa that is being conducted as the Anopheles 1000 Genomes Project. We will work with the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and through training, seminars and participation in strategic committees of the NMCP to help improve understanding and utilization of genetic data for vector control. This research directly contributes to the WHO Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030 which recommends that disease prevention through vector control should be informed by research and that vector surveillance and monitoring and evaluation of interventions should guide vector control.
Contributors:
- Luna Kamau Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
- Eric Ochomo Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
- Joseph Mwangangi Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
- Edward Githinji Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
- Evan Mathenge Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
- David Mburu Pwani University Biosciences Research Centre, Kenya
- Jeremy Herren International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi Kenya
- Kiambo Njagi National Malaria Control Programme, Kenya
- Rose Kasati Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kenya
- Nagoya Authorising Body Kenyan Wildlife Services, Kenya