Malaria Day: Kano Residents Notice Drop in Mosquitoes Amid Heatwave

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Malaria Day 2025 with the theme “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” an unusual trend is catching the attention of residents in Kano—fewer mosquitoes.

Many residents believe the intense heatwave currently sweeping across the state is keeping the malaria-causing insects at bay.

“It’s too hot even for mosquitoes,” said Rabi’u Yusuf, a resident of Kabuga Quarters. “Before, we couldn’t sleep without nets, coils, or sprays. But these days, it’s the heat that’s keeping us awake—not mosquito bites.”

Hadiza Salisu, a mother of three in Tarauni, shared a similar experience. “I haven’t taken any of my children to the hospital for malaria in the last four weeks. I think the sun is even chasing the mosquitoes away,” she told Kano Times with a laugh.

Despite the perceived decline in mosquito activity, health officials are urging residents not to become complacent.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria still bears the heaviest malaria burden globally, accounting for 27% of cases and 32% of deaths.

In a renewed effort to combat the disease, the Kano State Government has launched a mass distribution of 7.7 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) across the state.

Speaking at a press conference, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, emphasized the importance of community participation.

“This is not just about giving out nets—it’s about saving lives. Malaria continues to pose a serious threat to public health, especially for women and children,” he said.

Dr. Labaran also revealed plans to administer malaria prevention drugs to over 3.8 million children under the age of five between July and October this year.

Recent data from the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS 2021) shows a promising decline in malaria prevalence in Kano—from 32.4% to 26%—a trend health officials hope to sustain.

But experts warn that the current lull may be short-lived.

“Mosquitoes may be fewer now, but once the rains return, we’ll be back to square one,” said Dr. Asma’u Ibrahim, a public health expert in Kano.

She added that “This heat won’t last forever. We shouldn’t relax and assume malaria is gone. It will return if we don’t stay vigilant.”

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