Patterns and mechanisms of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus in Senegal: behavioural adaptation, gene flow and impact on malaria transmission

Insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus, which is one of the main malaria vectors, is threatening malaria control in Africa, notably in Senegal. Understanding the dynamics of insecticide resistance in this vector is crucial for successful implementation of resistance management strategies. Recent entomological monitoring of the indoor residual spraying programme conducted in central Senegal highlighted a high density of An. funestus maintaining residual malaria transmission. There is currently no knowledge about the nationwide geographical distribution and extent of resistance. Furthermore, the impact of resistance on the effectiveness of control tools as well as malaria transmission remain uncharacterised, preventing the design of resistance management strategies in the country. 

To fill these gaps of knowledge and help prolong the effectiveness of insecticide-based control interventions in Senegal, we propose the characterisation of the An. funestus populations across Senegal and an assessment of their contribution to malaria transmission.