~ 39 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2023; 10(1): 39-45 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2023; 10(1): 39-45 © 2023 IJMR www.dipterajournal.com Received: 12-10-2022 Accepted: 15-12-2022 Nisha Rathod Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, Tathawade, Pune, Maharashtra, India Meghana Hanagodu Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, Tathawade, Pune, Maharashtra, India Dr. Ganesh Dharma Patil Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, Tathawade, Pune, Maharashtra, India Corresponding Author: Dr. Ganesh Dharma Patil Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, Tathawade, Pune, Maharashtra, India Evolutionary outlook on the impending endgame of malaria Nisha Rathod, Meghana Hanagodu and Dr. Ganesh Dharma Patil DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23487941.2023.v10.i1a.660 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. Keywords: Mosquirix, RTS, S vaccine, R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, the global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030, transgenic mosquitoes, decrease in malaria cases 1. Introduction Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by the parasites Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and Plasmodium malariae (P. malariae). It is transmitted by the vector female Anopheles mosquito during blood-feeding [5] . Malaria causes a sizable impact on socioeconomic well-being of the human population in the tropical and subtropics [4] . Malaria infection results in a wide variety of symptoms like absence or very mild fever, sometimes severe that may result in death. As stated by the World Malaria Report (WMR) 2021, the caseload of malaria is said to have increased from 227 million in 2019 to 241 million in 2020 [62] . The malaria-linked mortality has reduced from 148 per 100,000 cases to 56 per 100,000 cases between 2000 and 2019. However, in 2020 it rose to 60 and decreased again to 58 in 2021. These numbers are within the range of yearly fluctuations and coinciding with the global Covid-19 pandemic. This rise might also be because of changes in the norms for calculating cause-of-death based upon the revelations suggesting an updated series of cause-specific mortality for neonates and children in 2000 to 2019 [46] . This is contrary to several reports stating decline in Malaria cases and mortality [61] . In this review we discuss recent developments in malaria control and whether the century-long battle against malaria is finally over. 2. Recent developments in malaria management Current focus in malaria control involves continual development, upgradation of existing drugs and design of novel agents with improved efficacy. One of the major challenges is to counter the ever-increasing drug and insecticide resistance in pathogens having effect on epidemiological outcomes [67] . As part of the integrated malaria control program enhanced vector control strategies, awareness of sanitation and waste management are being promoted. Experts have pointed out that controlling the menace of malaria requires a multi-pronged strategy rather than fighting it in isolation [30] . However, with advancement in science and technology, tactics to control malaria have changed. It has led to development of new technologies like, 1. A speculated global incidence of decrease in malaria cases; 2.