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

Fredros O. Okumu; Marceline Finda; Joel O. Odero; Fred Aboagye-Antwi; Adedapo Adeogun; Christian Atta-Obeng; Francesco Baldini; Jérémy Bouyer; Thomas R. Burkot; Thomas S. Churcher; Samuel K. Dadzie; Abdoulaye Diabaté; Heather M. Ferguson; Nicodem J. Govella; Tibebu Habtewold; Penelope A. Hancock; Najat Kahamba; Emmanuel W. Kaindoa; Jonathan K. Kayondo; Mara K.N. Lawniczak; Neil F. Lobo; Dickson Lwetoijera; Hamidou Maiga; Dulcisária Marrenjo; John M. Marshall; Damaris Matoke-Muhia; Jacqueline N. Mgaya; Dickson S. Msaky; Naomi Urio; Givemore Munhenga; Letus Muyaga; Charles D. Mwalimu; Emmanuel P. Mwanga; Halfan Ngowo; Eric Ochomo; Sheila Ogoma; Edward Okonjo; Mercy Opiyo; Edith Ramaita; Michael R. Reddy; Shekha Salum; Mike Santos; Luigi Sedda; Tara Seethaler; Prashanth Selvaraj; Maggy T. Sikulu-Lord; Doreen Siria; Brian Tarimo; Allison Tatarsky; Magellan Tchouakui; Edward K. Thomsen; Willy Tonui; Frederic Tripet; Susan Wiener; Nikolai Windbichler; Charles S. Wondji; Tony Nolan; Stephanie James

doi:10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010

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

Fredros O. Okumu
, Marceline Finda
, Joel O. Odero
, Fred Aboagye-Antwi
, Adedapo Adeogun
, Christian Atta-Obeng
, Francesco Baldini
, Jérémy Bouyer
, Thomas R. Burkot
, Thomas S. Churcher
, Samuel K. Dadzie
, Abdoulaye Diabaté
, Heather M. Ferguson
, Nicodem J. Govella
, Tibebu Habtewold
, Penelope A. Hancock
, Najat Kahamba
, Emmanuel W. Kaindoa
, Jonathan K. Kayondo
, Mara K.N. Lawniczak

Neil F. Lobo, Dickson Lwetoijera, Hamidou Maiga, Dulcisária Marrenjo, John M. Marshall, Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Jacqueline N. Mgaya, Dickson S. Msaky, Naomi Urio, Givemore Munhenga, Letus Muyaga, Charles D. Mwalimu, Emmanuel P. Mwanga, Halfan Ngowo, Eric Ochomo, Sheila Ogoma, Edward Okonjo, Mercy Opiyo, Edith Ramaita, Michael R. Reddy, Shekha Salum, Mike Santos, Luigi Sedda, Tara Seethaler, Prashanth Selvaraj, Maggy T. Sikulu-Lord, Doreen Siria, Brian Tarimo, Allison Tatarsky, Magellan Tchouakui, Edward K. Thomsen, Willy Tonui, Frederic Tripet, Susan Wiener, Nikolai Windbichler, Charles S. Wondji, Tony Nolan, Stephanie James

Department of Animal Biology And Conservation Science

University of Glasgow
Ifakara Health Institute
African Conversations Initiative
Lead City University
National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)
Université Montpellier
James Cook University Queensland
Imperial College London
University of Ghana
Health Sciences Research Institute (IRSS)
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme
Imperial College London
Uganda Virus Research Institute
Wellcome Sanger Institute
University of California San Francisco
University of Notre Dame
Ministry of Health Mozambique
University of California, Berkeley
Innovative Genomics Institute
Kenya Medical Research Institute
University of the Witwatersrand
National Health Laboratory Services
Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Tanzania
Institute for Disease Modeling
Abt Global Inc.
Technical University of Kenya
Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM)
Ministry of Health, Kenya
Microsoft USA
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH)
Lancaster Medical School
Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.
University of Queensland
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Centre of Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID)
African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium (AGBC)
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS Consultancy) Ltd
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss TPH
University of Basel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Gene-drive mosquitoes could transform malaria control in Africa, but their rapid, autonomous spread requires rigorous post-release monitoring. Most malaria-endemic countries already conduct some entomological surveillance, although it is often limited, fragmented, and externally funded. Molecular diagnostics are also expanding but remain mostly research focused and ad hoc. These imperfect systems offer workable foundations for strategic upgrades to support essential gene-drive monitoring. Priority investments should strengthen field-entomology, high-throughput genotyping for drive alleles and resistance, technical expertise, and integrated data for decision-making. Fortunately, first-generation gene drives already align with common phenotyping and genotyping workflows, avoiding major infrastructure overhauls, and permit simpler evaluation metrics than conventional interventions. This feature review examines key technical and operational considerations for monitoring gene drives and recommends how countries can adapt their vector surveillance systems to effectively monitor gene-drive mosquito releases.

Original language	English
Journal	Trends in Parasitology
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

gene-drive regulatory frameworks
gene-drive-modified mosquitoes
genetic-based vector control
molecular surveillance
transboundary vector surveillance
vector surveillance

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10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010

Cite this

Okumu, F. O., Finda, M., Odero, J. O., Aboagye-Antwi, F., Adeogun, A., Atta-Obeng, C., Baldini, F., Bouyer, J., Burkot, T. R., Churcher, T. S., Dadzie, S. K., Diabaté, A., Ferguson, H. M., Govella, N. J., Habtewold, T., Hancock, P. A., Kahamba, N., Kaindoa, E. W., Kayondo, J. K., ... James, S. (Accepted/In press). Adapting Africa's vector surveillance systems to monitor gene-drive mosquitoes in malaria control. Trends in Parasitology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010

@article{09d6e9e3fa6f4068a3d18066a55dad8c,

title = "Adapting Africa's vector surveillance systems to monitor gene-drive mosquitoes in malaria control",

abstract = "Gene-drive mosquitoes could transform malaria control in Africa, but their rapid, autonomous spread requires rigorous post-release monitoring. Most malaria-endemic countries already conduct some entomological surveillance, although it is often limited, fragmented, and externally funded. Molecular diagnostics are also expanding but remain mostly research focused and ad hoc. These imperfect systems offer workable foundations for strategic upgrades to support essential gene-drive monitoring. Priority investments should strengthen field-entomology, high-throughput genotyping for drive alleles and resistance, technical expertise, and integrated data for decision-making. Fortunately, first-generation gene drives already align with common phenotyping and genotyping workflows, avoiding major infrastructure overhauls, and permit simpler evaluation metrics than conventional interventions. This feature review examines key technical and operational considerations for monitoring gene drives and recommends how countries can adapt their vector surveillance systems to effectively monitor gene-drive mosquito releases.",

keywords = "gene-drive regulatory frameworks, gene-drive-modified mosquitoes, genetic-based vector control, molecular surveillance, transboundary vector surveillance, vector surveillance",

author = "Okumu, \{Fredros O.\} and Marceline Finda and Odero, \{Joel O.\} and Fred Aboagye-Antwi and Adedapo Adeogun and Christian Atta-Obeng and Francesco Baldini and J{\'e}r{\'e}my Bouyer and Burkot, \{Thomas R.\} and Churcher, \{Thomas S.\} and Dadzie, \{Samuel K.\} and Abdoulaye Diabat{\'e} and Ferguson, \{Heather M.\} and Govella, \{Nicodem J.\} and Tibebu Habtewold and Hancock, \{Penelope A.\} and Najat Kahamba and Kaindoa, \{Emmanuel W.\} and Kayondo, \{Jonathan K.\} and Lawniczak, \{Mara K.N.\} and Lobo, \{Neil F.\} and Dickson Lwetoijera and Hamidou Maiga and Dulcis{\'a}ria Marrenjo and Marshall, \{John M.\} and Damaris Matoke-Muhia and Mgaya, \{Jacqueline N.\} and Msaky, \{Dickson S.\} and Naomi Urio and Givemore Munhenga and Letus Muyaga and Mwalimu, \{Charles D.\} and Mwanga, \{Emmanuel P.\} and Halfan Ngowo and Eric Ochomo and Sheila Ogoma and Edward Okonjo and Mercy Opiyo and Edith Ramaita and Reddy, \{Michael R.\} and Shekha Salum and Mike Santos and Luigi Sedda and Tara Seethaler and Prashanth Selvaraj and Sikulu-Lord, \{Maggy T.\} and Doreen Siria and Brian Tarimo and Allison Tatarsky and Magellan Tchouakui and Thomsen, \{Edward K.\} and Willy Tonui and Frederic Tripet and Susan Wiener and Nikolai Windbichler and Wondji, \{Charles S.\} and Tony Nolan and Stephanie James",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Authors",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010",

language = "English",

journal = "Trends in Parasitology",

issn = "1471-4922",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

}

Okumu, FO, Finda, M, Odero, JO, Aboagye-Antwi, F, Adeogun, A, Atta-Obeng, C, Baldini, F, Bouyer, J, Burkot, TR, Churcher, TS, Dadzie, SK, Diabaté, A, Ferguson, HM, Govella, NJ, Habtewold, T, Hancock, PA, Kahamba, N, Kaindoa, EW, Kayondo, JK, Lawniczak, MKN, Lobo, NF, Lwetoijera, D, Maiga, H, Marrenjo, D, Marshall, JM, Matoke-Muhia, D, Mgaya, JN, Msaky, DS, Urio, N, Munhenga, G, Muyaga, L, Mwalimu, CD, Mwanga, EP, Ngowo, H, Ochomo, E, Ogoma, S, Okonjo, E, Opiyo, M, Ramaita, E, Reddy, MR, Salum, S, Santos, M, Sedda, L, Seethaler, T, Selvaraj, P, Sikulu-Lord, MT, Siria, D, Tarimo, B, Tatarsky, A, Tchouakui, M, Thomsen, EK, Tonui, W, Tripet, F, Wiener, S, Windbichler, N, Wondji, CS, Nolan, T & James, S 2026, 'Adapting Africa's vector surveillance systems to monitor gene-drive mosquitoes in malaria control', Trends in Parasitology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010

TY - JOUR

T1 - Adapting Africa's vector surveillance systems to monitor gene-drive mosquitoes in malaria control

AU - Okumu, Fredros O.

AU - Finda, Marceline

AU - Odero, Joel O.

AU - Aboagye-Antwi, Fred

AU - Adeogun, Adedapo

AU - Atta-Obeng, Christian

AU - Baldini, Francesco

AU - Bouyer, Jérémy

AU - Burkot, Thomas R.

AU - Churcher, Thomas S.

AU - Dadzie, Samuel K.

AU - Diabaté, Abdoulaye

AU - Ferguson, Heather M.

AU - Govella, Nicodem J.

AU - Habtewold, Tibebu

AU - Hancock, Penelope A.

AU - Kahamba, Najat

AU - Kaindoa, Emmanuel W.

AU - Kayondo, Jonathan K.

AU - Lawniczak, Mara K.N.

AU - Lobo, Neil F.

AU - Lwetoijera, Dickson

AU - Maiga, Hamidou

AU - Marrenjo, Dulcisária

AU - Marshall, John M.

AU - Matoke-Muhia, Damaris

AU - Mgaya, Jacqueline N.

AU - Msaky, Dickson S.

AU - Urio, Naomi

AU - Munhenga, Givemore

AU - Muyaga, Letus

AU - Mwalimu, Charles D.

AU - Mwanga, Emmanuel P.

AU - Ngowo, Halfan

AU - Ochomo, Eric

AU - Ogoma, Sheila

AU - Okonjo, Edward

AU - Opiyo, Mercy

AU - Ramaita, Edith

AU - Reddy, Michael R.

AU - Salum, Shekha

AU - Santos, Mike

AU - Sedda, Luigi

AU - Seethaler, Tara

AU - Selvaraj, Prashanth

AU - Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T.

AU - Siria, Doreen

AU - Tarimo, Brian

AU - Tatarsky, Allison

AU - Tchouakui, Magellan

AU - Thomsen, Edward K.

AU - Tonui, Willy

AU - Tripet, Frederic

AU - Wiener, Susan

AU - Windbichler, Nikolai

AU - Wondji, Charles S.

AU - Nolan, Tony

AU - James, Stephanie

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - Gene-drive mosquitoes could transform malaria control in Africa, but their rapid, autonomous spread requires rigorous post-release monitoring. Most malaria-endemic countries already conduct some entomological surveillance, although it is often limited, fragmented, and externally funded. Molecular diagnostics are also expanding but remain mostly research focused and ad hoc. These imperfect systems offer workable foundations for strategic upgrades to support essential gene-drive monitoring. Priority investments should strengthen field-entomology, high-throughput genotyping for drive alleles and resistance, technical expertise, and integrated data for decision-making. Fortunately, first-generation gene drives already align with common phenotyping and genotyping workflows, avoiding major infrastructure overhauls, and permit simpler evaluation metrics than conventional interventions. This feature review examines key technical and operational considerations for monitoring gene drives and recommends how countries can adapt their vector surveillance systems to effectively monitor gene-drive mosquito releases.

AB - Gene-drive mosquitoes could transform malaria control in Africa, but their rapid, autonomous spread requires rigorous post-release monitoring. Most malaria-endemic countries already conduct some entomological surveillance, although it is often limited, fragmented, and externally funded. Molecular diagnostics are also expanding but remain mostly research focused and ad hoc. These imperfect systems offer workable foundations for strategic upgrades to support essential gene-drive monitoring. Priority investments should strengthen field-entomology, high-throughput genotyping for drive alleles and resistance, technical expertise, and integrated data for decision-making. Fortunately, first-generation gene drives already align with common phenotyping and genotyping workflows, avoiding major infrastructure overhauls, and permit simpler evaluation metrics than conventional interventions. This feature review examines key technical and operational considerations for monitoring gene drives and recommends how countries can adapt their vector surveillance systems to effectively monitor gene-drive mosquito releases.

KW - gene-drive regulatory frameworks

KW - gene-drive-modified mosquitoes

KW - genetic-based vector control

KW - molecular surveillance

KW - transboundary vector surveillance

KW - vector surveillance

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105035794365

U2 - 10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010

DO - 10.1016/j.pt.2026.03.010

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105035794365

SN - 1471-4922

JO - Trends in Parasitology

JF - Trends in Parasitology

ER -

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

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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