What is Pwani Molecular Form? Significance, Latest News

Q: What is the Pwani Molecular Form?

The Pwani Molecular Form refers to a newly identified genetic variant of the malaria-carrying Anopheles gambiae mosquito, found primarily in coastal East Africa.

Q: Why is the Pwani Molecular Form significant?

It shows genetic resistance to insecticides, posing challenges to existing malaria control strategies such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying.

Q: Where was the Pwani Molecular Form discovered?

It was identified in Kenya and the coastal regions of Tanzania, areas with high malaria transmission.

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Pwani Molecular Form Latest News

A new mosquito species, provisionally named the “Pwani molecular form”, has been discovered in the coastal regions of Tanzania and Kenya.

About Pwani Molecular Form

The species belongs to the Anopheles gambiae complex, a group comprising some of the world’s most potent malaria vectors.
The Pwani mosquito shows clear genetic divergence from other members of the Anopheles gambiae complex, indicating it could have distinct ecological or behavioural adaptations.
Genetic sequencing confirms that this species is geographically restricted to coastal East Africa, especially Tanzania and Kenya.
Unlike known malaria vectors in the region, this mosquito lacks the usual genetic markers for insecticide resistance, indicating a unique resistance mechanism or greater susceptibility to existing insecticides.
This creates serious implications for current malaria control strategies, which depend heavily on chemical insecticides, including bed nets and indoor residual spraying.