Malaria could be stopped from spreading by stopping mosquitoes from mating. British scientists, while stating this method, have stressed that they have found the key to stop malaria spread.

A protein-rich 'mating plug' is essential for Anopheles Gambiae mosquitoes, without which they can't reproduce. The mating plug carries the sperm which, if not stored properly, lead to disruption of fertilization.

"In another two years, we will know whether inhibitors can be developed to make this a practical reality", said Dr Flaminia Catteruccia, of Imperial College London.

Every 30 seconds, a child dies in Africa with this deadly disease. But several could be saved if an insecticide can be developed which can target this "mating plug". Since these mosquitoes mate only once in lifetime their number could be reduced by this. Interfering with the mating or removing this mating plug will help control their population.

Nearly 40% of the world's population is at high risk from malaria, which is transmitted via mosquito bites.