Scientists propose novel way of treating mosquitoes for malaria

USA: Mosquitoes should be given malaria drugs to clear their infection so they can no longer spread the disease, say US researchers.

Malaria parasites, which kill nearly 600,000 people a year, mostly children, are spread by female mosquitoes when they drink blood. Current efforts aim to kill mosquitoes with insecticide rather than curing them of malaria.

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But a team at Harvard University has found a pair of drugs which can successfully rid the insects of malaria when absorbed through their legs.

Coating bed nets in the drug cocktail is the long-term aim.