Cameroon Strengthens Malaria Control with Anopheles stephensi Training Program

This program, focused on *Anopheles stephensi* surveillance at the health district level, is a significant step in the country’s ongoing fight against malaria.

The training program was officially launched this morning by Dr. Joel Ateba, Permanent Secretary of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP). His opening remarks emphasized the critical importance of the initiative, particularly in enhancing the skills of community health workers across the country. The event kicked off with a welcome speech from Prof. Wondji Charles, Executive Director of CRID, who highlighted the collaborative effort between CRID and the CDC in organizing this training.

The main objective of the five-day training is to equip community health workers from all 10 regions of Cameroon with the necessary skills to identify *Anopheles stephensi* mosquitoes. These mosquitoes, originally native to South Asia and the Middle East, have become a growing concern in Africa due to their ability to spread malaria in urban settings, where malaria transmission was previously low.

By training health workers on how to recognize and report the presence of this mosquito species, the program aims to enhance early detection and response capabilities across the country. This is particularly crucial as *Anopheles stephensi* poses a significant threat to urban areas, which are typically less prepared for malaria outbreaks.

As the training progresses, participants will engage in both theoretical and practical sessions, gaining comprehensive knowledge on mosquito identification, surveillance techniques, and strategies for mitigating the spread of *Anopheles stephensi* in their respective regions.