Elimination of malaria risk through integrated combination strategies in a tropical military training island.
On the military training facility of Tekong Island, Singapore, a comprehensive vector-borne disease control program was started in end-2006 to reduce mosquito populations and negate the need for anti-malaria chemoprophylaxis. The program was based on 1) preventing importation of malaria through screening of visitors, 2) preventing human-to-mosquito transmission through early case detection and mosquito control, 3) preventing mosquito-to-human transmission through personal protection, and 4) contingency plans. Systematic environmental works were performed to reduce breeding sites, and insecticide use targeted both adult mosquitoes and larvae. Mosquito populations declined from 103 mosquitoes per sampling site in January 2007 to 6 per site by March 2007 (P < 0.001). The proportion of positive ovitraps declined from 93% in January 2007-2% in March 2007 (P < 0.001). There were no malaria cases on the island despite chemoprophylaxis termination, showing that comprehensive combination vector-control strategies were effective in reducing the risk of malaria.
Biodefence Center, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore; Headquarters Army Medical Services, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore. vernonljm@hotmail.com
Vernon J
VJ
Lee
Samuel
S
Ow
Harold
H
Heah
Meng Yaw
MY
Tan
Patrick
P
Lam
Lee-Ching
LC
Ng
Sai Gek
SG
Lam-Phua
Abdul Qadir
AQ
Imran
Benjamin
B
Seet
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis; D003671:DEET / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008889:Military Personnel; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D011790:Quarantine; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D014329:Tropical Climate
D000962:Antimalarials; D007302:Insect Repellents; D003671:DEET