The sterile insect technique as a tool for control of insect vectors and vector-borne diseases

Abstract

The mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are responsible for the transmission of human pathogenic viruses including yellow fever, dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue and chikungunya are still causing significant human health problems in over 100 countries, while Zika has recently spread to over 70 countries and territories, and has been associated with microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Efficient, safe and low-cost drugs and vaccines to combat these diseases are yet to be discovered and therefore population control of the insect vector is considered as the most effective way of managing these diseases. Current vector control programmes are largely based on insecticides; however, concerns over the growing resistance to all major groups of insecticides, lack of sustainability and the impact on environment and human health calls for alternative, sustainable and environment-friendly approaches for controlling populations of Aedes mosquitoes. We propose the use of the combined sterile insect technique (SIT) and incompatible insect technique (IIT)-approach, as a component of a stakeholder-driven integrated vector management (IVM) strategy, to suppress Aedes mosquito populations below the threshold required for disease transmission. We will present recent advances in the development and application of the combined SIT/IIT package as an effective, safe and efficient approach to suppress populations of Aedes species, including proof-of-concept data.