The NIMR has discovered a new malaria vector in North

 

Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, announced on Monday that a new malaria vector called Anopheles stephensi had been discovered in northern Nigeria.

Salako told reporters in Lagos during a birthday celebration organized by his staff that it was the most recent research discovery.

He described it as a tough vector that was difficult to eradicate and had never been found in West Africa.

According to the NIMR boss, this was a discovery made by NIMR researchers and had implications for malaria control in Nigeria.

Salako stated that NIMR was currently investigating vaccines.

"We have done a lot of vaccine research and development," he said. "We are working with five groups in a consortium to develop world local vaccines in Nigeria, which is different from production."

Salako explained that the goal was to ensure that Nigerian researchers could develop vaccines from start to finish.

"If tomorrow there was a new epidemic or disease, known or unknown, Nigeria could develop its own vaccine," he said.

He also stated that NIMR was investigating the human body's efficacy, side effects, and responsiveness to COVID-19 vaccines.

He stated that the institute examined three COVID vaccines, and that 2,000 Nigerians would be tested to determine whether the vaccines elicited a response among Nigerians.