Micro-organism Protects Mosquitoes from Malaria（1）

Researchers: Micro-organism Protects Mosquitoes from Malaria

Scientists from Britain and Kenya may have found a way to control malaria and possibly destroy one of the world's most dangerous diseases.

The scientists say they have found a microbe that prevents mosquitoes from being infected with the organism that causes the disease.

A report on the research was published in Nature Communications. It says the microbe completely protects the insects from infection.

The microbe is called Microsporidia MB. The scientists found it inside the body and sex organs of mosquitoes living around Lake Victoria in Kenya.

The researchers reported they could not find a single mosquito with the microbe that causes malaria.

Jeremy Herren is an expert on insects. He said, "The data we have suggest it is 100% blockage, it's a very severe blockage of malaria."

Experts say they do not know how the microbe prevents the mosquitoes from carrying the malaria parasite. But they suspect that it affects the mosquito's natural defenses so the insect does not become infected.