Medical Research Institute Discovers New Malaria Vector

Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) said it had discovered a new malaria vector called anopheles stephensi in northern Nigeria.

Salako who spoke with newsmen in Lagos during a birthday ceremony organised by his members of staff, said that it was the most recent research discovery.

He said that it was a rugged vector, very difficult to eradicate and had not been found anywhere near West Africa.

He said that this was a discovery by NIMR researchers and that had implication to malaria control in Nigeria. Salako said the idea was to ensure that Nigerian researchers were able to take it from the beginning to the end in the development of vaccines.

Earlier, Samuel Amao, a Senior Researcher, said that the event was unprecedented.

Amao said that the institute was dealing with somebody that was a game changer, so competent that you don’t need to voice it.

He said that NIMR was a place where aspiring researchers were supposed to be.