Mosquitoes in 18 Nigerian states have reportedly developed resistance to the insecticide treated nets according to a recent study.
The new study conducted by scientists at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos revealed that the mosquitoes found in the 18 states have successfully adapted to the insecticide nets thereby rendering it ineffective in the control of malaria.
The states affected include: Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.
Revealing the result of the research, Malarialogist, Deputy Director & Head, Public Health Department, NIMR, Dr. Sam Awolola, revealed that Lagos, Ogun and Niger states recorded the highest incidence of resistance.
The new findings containing the latest information in the fight against Malaria in the country is contained in a report presented in NIMR on Tuesday which sought to identify mosquito resistance to insecticides as a major threat to the eradication of malaria in Nigeria by 2030.
The latest report comes after the federal government had distributed over 182 million of the long-lasting insecticide-treated nets since 2003.
Dr. Sam Awolola further revealed that the result of the study points that the country will record a sharp increase in malaria deaths in the 18 states where mosquitoes had developed resistance to these treated nets without quick intervention.