First detection ofAnopheles stephensiin Ghana using molecular surveillance

Abstract

AbstractThe invasiveAnopheles stephensimosquito has been rapidly expanding in range in Africa over the last decade, spreading from the Indian sub-continent to several East African countries (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Kenya) and now in West Africa, Nigeria. The rapid expansion of this invasive vector poses a major threat to current malaria control and elimination efforts. In line with the WHO’s strategy to stop the spread of this invasive species by enhancing surveillance and control measures in Africa, we incorporated morphological and molecular surveillance ofAn. stephensiinto routine entomological surveillance of malaria vectors in the city of Accra, Ghana. Here, we report on the first detection ofAn. stephensiin Ghana.An. stephensimosquitoes were confirmed using PCR and sequencing of the ITS2 regions. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased surveillance and response strategies to mitigate the spread ofAn. stephensiin Ghana.