Abstract
BackgroundChagas disease is a vector-borne disease of major importance in the Americas. Disease prevention is mostly limited to vector control. Integrated interventions targeting ecological, biological and social determinants of vector-borne diseases are increasingly used for improved control.Methodology/principal findingsWe investigated key factors associated with transient house infestation by T. dimidiata in rural villages in Yucatan, Mexico, using a mixed modeling approach based on initial null-hypothesis testing followed by multimodel inference and averaging on data from 308 houses from three villages. We found that the presence of dogs, chickens and potential refuges, such as rock piles, in the peridomicile as well as the proximity of houses to vegetation at the periphery of the village and to public light sources are major risk factors for infestation. These factors explain most of the intra-village variations in infestation.Conclusions/significanceThese results underline a process of infestation distinct from that of domiciliated triatomines and may be used for risk stratification of houses for both vector surveillance and control. Combined integrated vector interventions, informed by an Ecohealth perspective, should aim at targeting several of these factors to effectively reduce infestation and provide sustainable vector control.
Highlights
Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease of major importance in the Americas where it is endemic
Chagas disease is a parasitic disease of major importance in the Americas, transmitted by triatomine insects
We identified the factors associated with the seasonal intrusion of triatomine vectors in houses from the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, by studying the characteristics of 308 houses from 3 villages
Summary
Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease of major importance in the Americas where it is endemic. It affects an estimated 8–10 million people, and nearly 25 millions are at risk of infection [1]. Disease control and prevention are mostly limited to vector control to reduce triatomine infestation of human dwellings and concomitant transmission of T. cruzi to humans [4]. Inter-governmental vector control initiatives during the 1990s are believed to have eliminated vectorial transmission to humans in several Latin. Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease of major importance in the Americas. Disease prevention is mostly limited to vector control. Integrated interventions targeting ecological, biological and social determinants of vector-borne diseases are increasingly used for improved control
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