Evolutionary outlook on the impending endgame of malaria

Abstract

Malaria is a highly debilitating vector-borne parasitic infection which has been known to be mortal and morbid to human beings for centuries now. As of today, the success rate of effective control strategies is less; however there have been several riveting developments. These include: 1. A global incidence of decrease in malaria cases; 2. The development of several non-malaria transmissible transgenic mosquitoes and 3. The launch of the vaccine has been a game changer as it is now being given to children with the success rate being high. In this review, we discuss if the current control strategies in place and the launch of the vaccine and its speculated success in children has become/been a game changer. Our take on the coevolution of parasites and vector can be the answer to the questions above. We highlight that parasites and vectors have evolved together for millions of years now, and to break this liaison will not be as easy.