Assessment of the Efficiency of Insecticide Paint and Impregnated Nets on Tsetse Populations: Preliminary Study in Forest Relics of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Glossina palpalis palpalis is the main vector of human and animal trypanosomiasis in Cote d’Ivoire. This species, being the only tsetse species in the city of Abidjan, is hosted by the National park of Banco located in the middle of Abidjan, the zoological park and in a relic forest within the University of Nangui-Abrogoua, both in Abidjan. A programme for the elimination of these suburban tsetse populations has been initiated, in the context of which various tsetse control tools have been evaluated. In the zoological park, insecticidal paint (Inesfly®) was applied around the animal cages, and then supplemented with insecticide-impregnated netting around the larger animal cages. Tsetse population densities were monitored with Vavoua-style traps both inside the zoological park and in the site of University Nangui Abrogoua used as control site. Tsetse densities in the traps fell by over 90% following application of the insecticidal paint, and declined to zero after adding the insecticide impregnated nets in both study sites. The study confirms the close contact between tsetse populations from the zoological park and the University Nangui Abrogoua area, and shows that the sequential use of insecticide paint and impregnated nets can be effective for tsetse control.