Professor Monsuru Adeleke, a public health Entomologist, has called on governments and policymakers to adopt integrated vector control strategies to combat malaria and other vector-borne diseases in Africa.
Deliverying an inaugural at Osun State University’s (UNIOSUN), titled “Unending War of Man Against Mosquitoes and Blackflies: A Tale of Two Sacrificial Lambs Searching for Survival,” Adeleke highlighted the inadequacies of current mono-policy approaches.
He criticised the narrow focus of existing malaria control strategies, stating, “The mono-policy approach being implemented over the years is not yielding satisfactory results. It allows vectors to adapt and evade control measures.”
He emphasised that mosquitoes, which are primary vectors for malaria, breed in stagnant water around human habitats. “Preventing their breeding grounds solves 80 per cent of the danger posed by malaria fever,” he added
Addressing the broader context, Adeleke advocated for significant attitudinal changes in Nigeria. “Our habit of turning gutters into dumping sites during the wet season blocks river flow, creating stagnant water ideal for mosquito breeding. We must halt the indiscriminate use of insecticides and practices that foster vector breeding,” he urged.
In his recommendations, Adeleke proposed the establishment of a public health safety mechanism involving health inspectors who would monitor communities, especially rural areas. “We need to remove all bad and expired tyres from our environment as these house stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. Public hygiene is crucial in this battle,” he stressed.
Supporting Adeleke’s stance, Vice Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Odunayo Adebooye, emphasized, “Specialists should focus on identifying and tackling specific health problems. By strengthening public health mechanisms and addressing diseases like yellow fever, dengue, and monkeypox through specialized approaches, we can effectively reduce these threats.”
