As part of their effort to contribute to the fight against malaria, a team of researchers at Federal University Dutse led by Professor M.M.Dogara has discovered species of mosquitoes in Jigawa that are resistance to most insecticide treated nets available in the state except the nets treated with a particular insecticide called Primiphosmethyl.
The research which was sponsored by the Global Program for Malaria Control under the Surveillance for Mosquitoes Resistance against three classes of insecticides(Pyrethroids, organochlorine, and organophospates) in the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory
Prof. Dogara said the research became necessary when it became obvious that mosquitoes all over the world are developing resistance to Long Lasting Insecticides Treated Bed Nets(LLITN) coated with pyrethriod insecticides.
He said they identified mosquito breeding sites and collected samples of lavae from six local governments in Jigawa which includes Dutse, Birnin-Kudu, Kafin-Hausa ,Auyo, Ringim and Taura.
The Lead Researcher said they collected mosquito larvae from these sites and grew them to adulthood in the laboratory where they are sorted into males and females before conducting the test to see their resistance to insecticides.
He said the female anopheles mosquitoes with variants such as anopheles gambicae, anopheles collonzi and anopheles arabiansis are all resistance to bed nets coated with Pyrethroids, organnochlorine and organophosphate insecticides.
According to him , the research finding shows that only Primiphosmethl insecticides kills mosquitoes 100 percent and their recommendation is that henceforth only bed nets coated with Primiphosmethl should be deployed to Jigawa.
Prof. Dogara expressed gratitude to the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed who was instrumental to the winning of the N4 million research grant from the donors because institutions competed to get the grant and at the end FUD was chosen.
He said the VC is keen to help staff win research grants because its part of the core mandate of universities.
The Lead Researcher said his team consisted of six entomology investigators, technicians and six mosquito collectors.