Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against Aedes Species Mosquitoes: A Roadmap and Good Practice Framework for Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Pilot Field Trials.

Clélia F Oliva,Thierry Baldet,Hervé Bossin,Jérémy Bouyer,Louis-Clément Gouagna,Frédéric Simard,C Matilda Collins,Carlos Tur,David Roiz,Florence Fouque,Luca Facchinelli,Martin Geier,Vincent Corbel,Mark Q Benedict,Antonios Michaelakis,Romeo Bellini

doi:10.3390/insects12030191

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe sterile insect technique is familiar to agricultural pest management and is now being increasingly applied to mosquitoes as part of integrated vector management programs. This review leans on a growing literature and on the experience of its many authors to describe the key steps, and the challenges to be surmounted, in order to design and execute successful pilot studies in many environments. We emphasize integrating stakeholder mapping and engagement at all levels. Included are introductory descriptions of the key elements to (1) ensure wide stakeholder support through transparent communication plans and the identification of regulatory and financial frameworks; (2) select suitable field sites; (3) build a sound, and locally-adapted, integrated vector management strategy; (4) access the technical advancements to ensure high-quality releases; and (5) reliably assess the impacts and benefits of the field trial.Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are invasive mosquito species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a powerful complement to most commonly-used approaches, in part, because this technique is ecologically benign, specific, and non-persistent in the environment if releases are stopped. Because SIT and other similar vector control strategies are becoming of increasing interest to many countries, we offer here a pragmatic and accessible ‘roadmap’ for the pre-pilot and pilot phases to guide any interested party. This will support stakeholders, non-specialist scientists, implementers, and decision-makers. Applying these concepts will ensure, given adequate resources, a sound basis for local field trialing and for developing experience with the technique in readiness for potential operational deployment. This synthesis is based on the available literature, in addition to the experience and current knowledge of the expert contributing authors in this field. We describe a typical path to successful pilot testing, with the four concurrent development streams of Laboratory, Field, Stakeholder Relations, and the Business and Compliance Case. We provide a graphic framework with criteria that must be met in order to proceed.

Highlights

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are invasive mosquito vector species that impose a substantial risk to human health
This review describes the underpinning steps of the demonstration stages and the sequence of concurrent activities needed to determine feasibility (Figure 2), which largely focusses on developing technical capacities, funding model and stakeholder relationships, to the pilot trial
Geographic information systems (GIS) and accessible spatial data are increasingly being used in vector management programmes to support field population evaluation [135]

Summary

Introduction

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are invasive mosquito vector species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, sterile insect technique (SIT)-based approaches are a powerful complement to currently available methods. In contrast to the long-established use of SIT in agriculture, application against human disease vectors requires more attention to the social perspective [12], mainly because pilot trials in urban areas need communication with multiple stakeholders and residents. Their direct interest in contributing to the vector control effort may appear less obvious to residents than to growers for whom yield and income depend on pest management success. We describe here the crucial steps in planning and performing an SIT pilot test, while setting the stage for future large-scale implementation

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Conclusion