Swedish scientists uncovered some eerie insights in the fight against malaria – but there could be a silver lining to the finding.

Mosquitoes prefer biting people who already have malaria because they are attracted to an odor at the molecular level that gives off an addictive odor according to a new Swedish study.  

Researchers at Stockholm University found that 95% of mosquitoes attacked a sample of blood containing a malaria substance (a molecule known as HMBPP) over a sample without malaria in a recent study: “Why malaria mosquitoes like people with malaria.”

"The malaria parasite produces a molecule, HMBPP, which stimulates the human red blood cells to release more carbon dioxide and volatile compounds with an irresistible smell to malaria mosquitoes," explained Ingrid Faye at Stockholm University, who worked on the study. 

The malaria substance may also be a key factor in fueling the growth of the virus in mosquitoes once they are infected. 

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Mosquitoes in the study drank more blood, and more quickly, from samples with even just low levels of the malaria substance. Researchers believe this results in mosquitoes ingesting higher amounts of malaria and creates a better environment for the virus to grow. 

“This seems to be a well-functioning system, developed over millions of years, which means that the malaria parasite can survive and spread to more people without killing the hosts,” said Faye.

While this sounds horrifying, there is good news. Their findings unearth vast possibilities for news ways to fight malaria. 

In 2015, 212 million people were newly infected with malaria according to the World Health Organization. Currently, mosquito nets, antimalarial drugs, and chemical sprays, and even soap are used to prevent mosquitoes from spreading malaria. 

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Insight into the way the virus attracts mosquitoes, gives researchers hope, however, that malaria can be fought without chemicals. 

“A major step forward in the fight against malaria would be to create a trap that uses the parasite’s own system for attracting malaria mosquitoes,” said Faye. 

In understanding how malaria lures in mosquitoes they may be able to develop a similar substance and use that to trap and kill mosquitoes and prevent the spread of malaria on a larger scale.