US researchers have identified a previously unknown virus that infects the Anopheles mosquito. Termed as, AgDNV , this virus could be potentially used to pass on new genetic information to Anopheles gambiae (AG) mosquitoes as part of a strategy to control malaria.
The virus is highly infectious to mosquito larvae and is easily passed on to the adults. the virus could be potentially altered to kill the mosquito or make it incapable of transmitting malaria.
“In theory, we could use this virus to produce a lethal toxin in the mosquito or instruct the mosquito to die after 10 days, which is before it can transmit the malaria parasite to humans. However, these concepts are many years away,” he said.
According to Jason Rasgon, assistant professor of Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-author of the study, “In theory, we could use this virus to produce a lethal toxin in the mosquito or instruct the mosquito to die after 10 days, which is before it can transmit the malaria parasite to humans. However, these concepts are many years away.”
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