Adapting Africa’s vector surveillance systems to monitor gene-drive mosquitoes in malaria control

Okumu, Fredros O. and Finda, Marceline and Odero, Joel O. and Aboagye-Antwi, Fred and Adeogun, Adedapo and Atta-Obeng, Christian and Baldini, Francesco and Bouyer, Jérémy and Burkot, Thomas R. and Churcher, Thomas S. and Dadzie, Samuel K. and Diabaté, Abdoulaye and Ferguson, Heather M. and Govella, Nicodem J. and Habtewold, Tibebu and Hancock, Penelope A. and Kahamba, Najat and Kaindoa, Emmanuel W. and Kayondo, Jonathan K. and Lawniczak, Mara K.N. and Lobo, Neil F. and Lwetoijera, Dickson and Maiga, Hamidou and Marrenjo, Dulcisária and Marshall, John M. and Matoke-Muhia, Damaris and Mgaya, Jacqueline N. and Msaky, Dickson S. and Urio, Naomi and Munhenga, Givemore and Muyaga, Letus and Mwalimu, Charles D. and Mwanga, Emmanuel P. and Ngowo, Halfan and Ochomo, Eric and Ogoma, Sheila and Okonjo, Edward and Opiyo, Mercy and Ramaita, Edith and Reddy, Michael R. and Salum, Shekha and Santos, Mike and Sedda, Luigi and Seethaler, Tara and Selvaraj, Prashanth and Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T. and Siria, Doreen and Tarimo, Brian and Tatarsky, Allison and Tchouakui, Magellan and Thomsen, Edward K. and Tonui, Willy and Tripet, Frederic and Wiener, Susan and Windbichler, Nikolai and Wondji, Charles S. and Nolan, Tony and James, Stephanie (2026) Adapting Africa’s vector surveillance systems to monitor gene-drive mosquitoes in malaria control. Trends in Parasitology. ISSN 1471-4922 (In Press)

Abstract

Gene drives could transform malaria control by enabling the rapid, autonomous spread of engineered traits in mosquito populations, potentially reducing dependence on costly interventions.African countries can adapt their existing vector surveillance systems to support future monitoring of gene-drive mosquitoes rather than building new infrastructure.They should prioritize actionable indicators with predefined thresholds tied to specific gene-drive mechanisms.For best results, they should integrate genetic, entomological, and health data, leveraging tools like PCR and artificial intelligence-enabled phenotyping for cost-effective tracking.Countries should also foster networks for transboundary surveillance, drawing from past precedents like the use of sterile insect technique.Modeling approaches can support adaptive sampling and optimize resource allocation in both field trials and implementation.