Field evaluation of a push-pull system to reduce malaria transmission.
Malaria continues to place a disease burden on millions of people throughout the tropics, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Although efforts to control mosquito populations and reduce human-vector contact, such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying, have led to significant decreases in malaria incidence, further progress is now threatened by the widespread development of physiological and behavioural insecticide-resistance as well as changes in the composition of vector populations. A mosquito-directed push-pull system based on the simultaneous use of attractive and repellent volatiles offers a complementary tool to existing vector-control methods. In this study, the combination of a trap baited with a five-compound attractant and a strip of net-fabric impregnated with micro-encapsulated repellent and placed in the eaves of houses, was tested in a malaria-endemic village in western Kenya. Using the repellent delta-undecalactone, mosquito house entry was reduced by more than 50%, while the traps caught high numbers of outdoor flying mosquitoes. Model simulations predict that, assuming area-wide coverage, the addition of such a push-pull system to existing prevention efforts will result in up to 20-fold reductions in the entomological inoculation rate. Reductions of such magnitude are also predicted when mosquitoes exhibit a high resistance against insecticides. We conclude that a push-pull system based on non-toxic volatiles provides an important addition to existing strategies for malaria prevention.
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
David J
DJ
Menger
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, GPO Nairobi, Kenya.
Philemon
P
Omusula
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Maarten
M
Holdinga
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Tobias
T
Homan
CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal; Devan-Micropolis, Tecmaia-Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia da Maia, Rua Eng. Frederico Ulrich, 2650, 4470-605, Maia, Portugal.
Ana S
AS
Carreira
Devan Chemicals NV, Ninoofsesteenweg 539, 9600, Ronse, Belgium.
Patrice
P
Vandendaele
Utexbel NV, C. Snoecklaan 30, B-9600, Ronse, Belgium.
Jean-Luc
JL
Derycke
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, GPO Nairobi, Kenya.
Collins K
CK
Mweresa
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, GPO Nairobi, Kenya; School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, GPO Nairobi, Kenya.
Wolfgang Richard
WR
Mukabana
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Joop J A
JJ
van Loon
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Willem
W
Takken
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*
D007306:Insecticides