Advances in Vector Mosquito Control Technologies, with Particular Reference to Herbal Products

Abstract

Despite several decades of control effort, vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are still regarded as a major public health problem in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are more common in the developing as well as resource-poor countries and inflict enormous burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. Control of vectors is the primary available intervention for some of the most devastating VBDs, particularly those lacking vaccines such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, trypanosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Since long decades vector control programme based on chemical agents has been in place but their effectiveness was soon undermined due largely to the prowess of development of resistance amongst most vector species of these diseases. Thus, in turn, there is a growing need for searching of alternative novel interventions and exploration of next-generation vector control strategies, including repellents, attractants, traps, pneumatic/tracheal explosions in larval populations, biocides integrated with nanoparticles, genetically modified vectors (transgenics), paratransgenics, etc. Plant-based repellents have been used for generations in traditional practice as a personal protection measure against host-seeking mosquitoes. Knowledge on traditional repellent plants obtained through ethnobotanical studies is a valuable resource for the development of new natural products. Recently, commercial repellent products containing plant-based ingredients have gained increasing popularity amongst consumers, as these are commonly perceived as ‘safe’ in comparison to long-established synthetic repellents although this is sometimes a misconception. There is a need for further meticulously evaluating repellent compounds and develop new products that offer high repellency as well as good consumer safety. Such innovative technologies must also fit into the concept of integrated vector control management (IVM) which derives today a much greater meaning now by bringing within its fold all the available technologies than ever before, for an effective vector control.