27 May 2019

Malaria rates plummet in Solomons but mosquitos adapt

From , 5:03 am on 27 May 2019

Research into malaria in Solomon Islands has found that while there have been big reductions in the number of people becoming ill in the past 20 years, the mosquitoes that carry the infectious parasite are adapting their behaviour.

Professor Tom Burkot from the Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine at Australia's James Cook University, says mosquitoes have changed their behaviour since the introduction of insecticide treated bed nets, by feeding from humans earlier in the evening and staying outdoors.

Professor Burkot spoke to Jenny Meyer about his work in the Solomons, and efforts to combat the mosquitoes that transmit the illness.