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Scientists find drug that makes human blood poisonous to mosquitos

Researchers have found that a medication commonly used to treat rare diseases could make human blood lethal to mosquitoes, presenting a potential breakthrough in the fight against illnesses like malaria.

The drug, known as nitisinone, is typically prescribed to individuals with rare genetic disorders that hinder the complete breakdown of specific amino acids.

Nitisinone functions by inhibiting an enzyme, thereby preventing the accumulation of harmful byproducts associated with these diseases in the human body.

When mosquitoes drink blood that contains nitisinone, the drug also blocks the enzyme in their bodies, stopping them from properly digesting the blood, leading them to quickly die, according to their findings published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

“One way to stop the spread of diseases transmitted by insects is to make the blood of animals and humans toxic to these blood-feeding insects,” Lee R Haines, associate research professor at the University of Notre Dame in the US and co-lead author of the study, said in a statement.

“Our findings suggest that using nitisinone could be a promising new complementary tool for controlling insect-borne diseases like malaria”.

Personal protective measures include wearing covering clothes, the use of mosquito repellent and the use of bed nets or window and door screens.

A growing need for mosquito control solutions

Another method is the use of ivermectin, used to kill parasites. However, its repeated use can lead to drug-resistance. It can also be toxic for the environment. 

“Nitisinone performance was fantastic,” said Álvaro Acosta Serrano, professor of biological sciences at Notre Dame and co-corresponding author of the study.

“It has a much longer half-life in human blood than ivermectin, which means its mosquitocidal activity remains circulating in the human body for much longer. This is critical when applied in the field for safety and economical reasons,” he added.

Nitisinone was able to kill mosquitoes across all age groups, including older mosquitoes that are most likely to transmit malaria. It was also capable of eliminating insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.

“In the future, it could be advantageous to alternate both nitisinone and ivermectin for mosquito control,” Haines said.

“For example, nitisinone could be employed in areas where ivermectin resistance persists or where ivermectin is already heavily used for livestock and humans”.

Mosquito-borne diseases include malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya and yellow fever, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

They represent an emerging threat to human health in Europe with climate change creating more favourable conditions for invasive mosquito species despite malaria being eradicated from the continent for several decades.

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<p>The post Scientists find drug that makes human blood poisonous to mosquitos first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>

HFFG urges government to prioritize health financing in 2025 Budget for sustainable Universal Health Coverage

By: Hannah Dadzie

Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) and its partners have commended the government for presenting the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy but are calling for increased and sustainable health financing to drive Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

While acknowledging the government’s decision to increase the health budget from GHS 15.6 billion in 2024 to GHS 17.8 billion in 2025, a nominal increase of 13.4%, HFFG noted that this still falls short of the 15% commitment outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

In a statement, the organisation said, after adjusting for inflation, the real value of the 2025 health budget has declined by 23%, which could hinder service delivery and UHC progress.

HFFG commended the Government’s commitment to uncap the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) totaling GHS 9.93 billion, aimed at supporting vaccine procurement, claims payments, procurement of essential medicines, bridging donor gaps such as USAID financial shortfalls, free Primary Health Care, and critical care services.

While this is a step in the right direction, the Ministry of Finance must release funds to the NHIA without delay. Additionally, the Ministry of Health should submit timely requests to facilitate the NHIA in fulfilling its mandate.

The organization also highlighted the urgent need for sustainable domestic funding as Ghana prepares for the exit of Gavi support by 2029, to avoid vaccine stockouts and maintain public health gains. They emphasized the importance of achieving vaccine sovereignty. Additionally, HFFG acknowledged the government’s focus on epidemic preparedness and response, but called for a dedicated pool of resources for emergency preparedness, noting the country’s vulnerability to outbreaks.

HFFG’s Key Recommendations:

• Timely Release of Vaccine Co-financing Funds – The government must ensure the prompt release of funds to meet Ghana’s vaccine obligations to prevent shortages and disease outbreaks.

• Increased Health Budget Allocation – Ghana should work towards the Abuja Declaration target of 15% of the national budget for health, as the current 6.32% allocation is insufficient.

• More Domestic Funding for Primary Health Care and Immunization – While the uncapping of NHIL is commendable, additional domestic resources are needed to cover expanded services.

• Dedicated Emergency Preparedness Fund – Ghana needs a reserved funding pool to respond to health emergencies, given the emergence of new disease strains requiring costly treatment.

HFFG reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to ensure equitable health financing and uninterrupted access to essential health services. The organization urged policymakers to act swiftly to address these critical gaps to safeguard the health of all Ghanaians.

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<p>The post HFFG urges government to prioritize health financing in 2025 Budget for sustainable Universal Health Coverage first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>

KATH doctors suspend surgeries indefinitely due to severe water shortage

By Josephine Kekeli

Surgical doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, have suspended all surgical procedures indefinitely due to a severe water shortage that has disrupted operations at the facility.

Hospital authorities report that the water supply issue has persisted since last week, making surgical procedures unsafe and significantly affecting essential healthcare services.

In response to the crisis, the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association issued a memo on March 25, instructing management to comply with the suspension to safeguard patient safety and well-being.

The memo emphasized the critical role of water in maintaining hygiene, performing surgeries, and ensuring proper patient care. However, the ongoing shortage has compromised these essential functions, leaving doctors with no choice but to halt surgical cases temporarily.

“This memo is to formally inform management of the decision taken by the Orthopaedic and Emergency Directorate to temporarily halt the admission of new patients until water supply is restored,” the statement read.

Despite ongoing efforts to manage the crisis, the memo highlighted that the situation has reached a critical level, posing serious risks to patient safety and healthcare delivery.

Dr. Michael Leat, Chairman of the Association, assured that doctors remain committed to attending to existing cases and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the suspension.

The association also urged hospital management to explore alternative water supply solutions and provide regular updates on efforts to resolve the crisis.

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<p>The post KATH doctors suspend surgeries indefinitely due to severe water shortage first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>