Abstract
BackgroundOne major consequence of economic development in South-East Asia has been a rapid expansion of rubber plantations, in which outbreaks of dengue and malaria have occurred. Here we explored the difference in risk of exposure to potential dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and malaria vectors between rubber workers and those engaged in traditional forest activities in northern Laos PDR.Methodology/Principal findingsAdult mosquitoes were collected for nine months in secondary forests, mature and immature rubber plantations, and villages. Human behavior data were collected using rapid participatory rural appraisals and surveys. Exposure risk was assessed by combining vector and human behavior and calculating the basic reproduction number (R0) in different typologies. Compared to those that stayed in the village, the risk of dengue vector exposure was higher for those that visited the secondary forests during the day (odds ratio (OR) 36.0), for those living and working in rubber plantations (OR 16.2) and for those that tapped rubber (OR 3.2). Exposure to JE vectors was also higher in the forest (OR 1.4) and, similar when working (OR 1.0) and living in the plantations (OR 0.8). Exposure to malaria vectors was greater in the forest (OR 1.3), similar when working in the plantations (OR 0.9) and lower when living in the plantations (OR 0.6). R0 for dengue was >2.8 for all habitats surveyed, except villages where R0≤0.06. The main malaria vector in all habitats was Anopheles maculatus s.l. in the rainy season and An. minimus s.l. in the dry season.Conclusions/SignificanceThe highest risk of exposure to vector mosquitoes occurred when people visit natural forests. However, since rubber workers spend long periods in the rubber plantations, their risk of exposure is increased greatly compared to those who temporarily enter natural forests or remain in the village. This study highlights the necessity of broadening mosquito control to include rubber plantations.
Highlights
Today we have entered the Anthropocene epoch, in recognition of the major impact human beings have on the environment [1]
In this study we investigated the risk of exposure to dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and malaria vectors in relation to different patterns of behavior or typologies commonly represented in this part of northern Lao PDR, in order to understand which behaviors put people most at risk from mosquito-borne diseases
The An. dirus s.l. mosquito samples collected in the different habitats showed similar behavior
Summary
Today we have entered the Anthropocene epoch, in recognition of the major impact human beings have on the environment [1]. Stimulated by the high profitability of this crop, the area cultivated for mature rubber in Lao PDR increased rapidly from 900 ha in 2010 to 147,500 ha in 2015 [11]. This is likely to increase to 342,400 ha of mature rubber plantations in the decade, employing over 100,000 people [11]. One major consequence of economic development in South-East Asia has been a rapid expansion of rubber plantations, in which outbreaks of dengue and malaria have occurred. We explored the difference in risk of exposure to potential dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and malaria vectors between rubber workers and those engaged in traditional forest activities in northern Laos PDR
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