Scientists at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) conducting research on genetically modified mosquitoes have revealed that there is progress since they are moving towards field trial.

This was revealed during stakeholder engagement about the progress of the research work by scientists who are currently conducting research to breed genetically modified mosquitoes as one of the measures to curb malaria

Background

Jude Bigirwemkya the stakeholder engagement manager of the target malaria project explaining the burden of malaria in the country, noted that malaria control is still a challenge due to its high transmission rate, inadequate health care resources, weak health system and increasing resistance of the parasite to drugs as well as resistance of the mosquitoes to insecticides.

He noted that Malaria is caused by a parasite called plasmodium which is spread through bites of infected mosquitoes.

In Africa the mosquito species include Anopheles gambiae which is a complex of mosquito species primarily found is Sub Sahara Africa that is a major vector of malaria particularly the deadly Plasmodium falciparum parasite

Others are Anopheles Coluzzii, Anoplese Arabiasis and Anopheles fenestus which is believed to be already in Kenya.

There are about 3,500 mosquito species in the world and majority do not transmit malaria and Uganda has between 150-200 species.

The research aim is to reduce the population of malaria causing mosquitoes using a technology called gene drive where male mosquitoes will be in the wild more than females.

Statistical data

Giving the statistical data from the 2022 malaria report as per the World Health Organisation, he notes that out of the global 2.65 million malaria infections worldwide annually, 94% are from Africa.

In Uganda Malaria is still a public health burden accounting for 1.26 million infections and about 15,945 deaths yearly

Four counties in Africa are considered to be with high malaria infection rates with Nigeria leading with 26.8%, Democratic Republic of Congo accounting for 12.3%, Uganda is in third position with 5.1% and Mozambique 4.2%

The Africa region as whole is off track for both malaria morbidity and mortality where it was expected by 2025, the malaria burden should be reduced by 52%.

The number of global cases are significantly higher than the 2019 cases with an increase of 5million cases.

This increase were observed in countries namely Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

In Uganda by the year 2022, out of the 47,249,584 population, 12,651,126 malaria cases were registered with 17,556 deaths.

Efforts to curb malaria

Bigirwemkya explained that already there are several measures being taken which include, use of treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying and vaccine for children from the age of 8 years

However the scientist believe these initiatives are not enough therefore the need for breeding GM mosquitoes which is targeting the three species that target malaria

Various types of research are carried out to contribute to eliminating malaria by 2030, as advocated by WHO in its global technical strategy document for the fight against malaria 2016-2030 and Target Malaria is part of this effort.

Genetic modification process

The genetic modification is being done by three countries namely Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda.

Already Burkina Faso has bred mosquitoes targeting sterile male mosquitoes and male bias where more male mosquitoes are to be bred and released to the population in a bid to reduce the rate of infection since malaria is caused by female mosquitoes.

The scientists in Uganda are expected to import and test the male bias mosquitoes in the environment soon though the target is to breed mosquitoes with gene drive traits for effective results.

These is because these species will be able to pass their traits from one generation to another meaning if they mate, the female will not be able to conceive and to produce eggs.

Community sensitization

The field entomology officer Krystal Birungi explained that already her team has been sensitizing communities mainly on Islands in Lake Victoria mainly in Mukono district as well as Kalangala where the mosquito species are being collected to study their behaviour.

It is her contention that since the malaria burden is so high on these Islands, the people are demanding for the release of the GM mosquitoes but this can only be possible if the research work is complete and with existing biosafety law in place.

Filed trial initiative

According to Bigirwenkya, the research team has been studying the behaviour of the mosquitoes in lab including feeding behaviour and how this can be carried on while in the wild. Others are whether they can be able to fly easily, mating behaviour and how many eggs can they lay, egg yield and hatchery rate

The research has shown that the modification has enabled more males being produced more than females and the next step is to see if this can work in the field.

For field studies to commence the has to apply to the required Authorities including Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) and the National Environment  Management Authority (Nema) .

They are in the process of acquiring the authorization certificates to commence field trials.

The team anticipates release to be in 2029 but this requires a law on biosafety to be in place.