Artificial light to control malaria

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: disease

Statistics

While the total number of cases has declined from about 81.1 cases per 1,000 population to 59 per 1,000 since 2000, there were still an estimated 240 million cases and 600,000 deaths in 2020 globally.
While vaccines look promising, there is still a steady rise of antimalarial drug resistance, especially in East Africa.
The parasites are evolving mutations which allow them to escape routine diagnosis. The mosquitoes are also evolving increased resistance to insecticides.
In a new research, the use of artificial lights to trick malaria-transmitting mosquito species that feed nocturnally into behaving as if it’s daytime is being developed which may deter feeding, helping to keep people safe from malaria-carrying mosquito bites.

Process

This device is based on the theory that as light regulates much of the timing of biological events, like when birds breed, lions hunt – and humans’ sleep patterns.
This means that all life on the planet has evolved with such regular day-night cycles.
The gene for the melatonin hormone, which regulates sleep-awake cycles, is shared between widely different and old taxonomic groups, such as plants and animals.
The Anopheles group of mosquitoes, which is responsible for all of Africa’s malaria cases, is a nocturnal feeder.
After mating, the females will seek out a blood meal. In doing so, they transfer the Plasmodium parasite which causes malaria.
So, to trick the mosquito into not feeding, a short pulse of Light Emitting Diode (LED) light, commonly used lights in homes as “downlights” or reading lamps can be used.
Artificial light at night can be employed to change mosquitoes’ behavior.