Vector Control Programs Research Articles

Effectiveness of the Aedes aegypti Mosquito Vector Control Program in Southeast Asia – A Systematic Review

Effectiveness of the Aedes aegypti Mosquito Vector Control Program in Southeast Asia – A Systematic Review

Analisis Penerapan Manajemen Pengendalian Vektor Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD) di Lingkungan 19 Kelurahan Belawan Bahagia

There are 5 dengue cases in 19 neighborhoods with 1 death rate in 2022. This study aims to determine the application of DBD vector control management in Environment 19 of Belawan Bahagia Village.This is qualitative research using the Descriptive Analytics method, with 3 informants with criteria that have been set by the researcher. The result of this study is that there is no program yet This is qualitative research using the Descriptive Analytics method, with 3 informants with criteria that have been set by the researcher. The result of this study is that there is no vector control program that causes Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) biologically, physically, and chemically in Environment 19 of Belawan Bahagia Village.The conclusion of this study is that the management of vector control that causes Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) has not been carried out properly. It is necessary to carry out maximum vector control of the causes of dengue fever in the environmental area 19 Belawan Bahagia Village to prevent dengue health problems.
 Keywords: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Ward 19, Belawan Bahagia

Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021

BackgroundIndoor residual spraying (IRS) is a common vector control strategy in countries with high malaria burden. Historically, social norms have prevented women from working in IRS programmes. The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project has actively sought to reduce gender inequality in malaria control operations for many years by promoting women’s participation in IRS.MethodsThis study investigated the progress of female engagement and compared spray productivity by gender from 2010 to 2021, using inferential tests and multivariable regression. Spray productivity was measured by rooms sprayed by spray operator per day (RSOD), houses sprayed by spray operator per day (HSOD), and the daily productivity ratio (DPR), defined as the ratio of RSOD to HSOD, which standardized productivity by house size.ResultsThe percentage of women participating in IRS has increased over time. The difference in DPR comparing male and female spray operators was only statistically significant (p < 0.05) for two rounds, where the value was higher for women compared to men. Regression analyses showed marginal, significant differences in DPR between men and women, but beta coefficients were extremely small and thus not indicative of a measurable effect of gender on operational performance.ConclusionsThe quantitative analyses of spray productivity are counter to stigmatizing beliefs that women are less capable than male counterparts during IRS spray rounds. The findings from this research support the participation of women in IRS campaigns, and a renewed effort to implement equitable policies and practices that intentionally engage women in vector control activities.

Knowledge, perceptions and practices of health students and professionals regarding leishmaniasis in Portugal: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundControl of leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean Basin relies on the active contributions from researchers in the fields of animal, human and environmental health. The application of knowledge, perceptions and practices (KPP) questionnaires to health students and professionals in Europe could be fundamental to identify and explore gaps in KPP, highlighting the diversity of conceptions related to this disease between students and professionals active in (One) Health. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the current knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding leishmaniasis among subgroups of students and health professionals in Portugal through the application of an online questionnaire.MethodsA cross-sectional study targeted the population of health students and professionals in Portugal, including students in medicine, veterinary medicine and environmental health, physicians, veterinarians and environmental health technicians. Potential participants were approached by email via universities and professional societies and organizations and provided with the link to access the online questionnaire. Answers to the self-administered sociodemographic and KPP questionnaire were collected between July and December 2022. Individual KPP scores were calculated by summing grades defined for each question. Logistic regression models were used to search for potential associations, and the results were expressed at estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsIn total, 486 participants were included in this study: 254 students and 232 professionals. Overall, 75% of the participants reported having heard of both human and animal leishmaniasis, and > 80% reported hearing about the disease during their course work (although this was significantly lower among those in the field of environmental health). Around 90% of participants identified the pathogenic agent as a parasite, and an arthropod bite was identified as the main route of transmission by > 95%. Animal leishmaniasis was considered to be diagnosed in Portugal by 87% of participants and human leishmaniasis by only 69%. The main barriers pointed out by professionals to the control of leishmaniasis were: lack of knowledge in the general population, failures in the early diagnosis and treatment of diseased animals, absence/inefficacy of vector control programs and lack of knowledge in human health professionals. Median knowledge and perception scores were higher among professionals in the animal health field and higher in professionals than in students. Median practice scores were not significantly different between groups and subgroups. The multivariate analysis revealed that a longer period of study (for students) and having seen cases of leishmaniasis (for physicians) were associated with above-mentioned median knowledge score.ConclusionsMost health students and professionals are knowledgeable about the cause and transmission route of leishmaniasis. However, recognition of the disease as autochthonous in humans is less common, highlighting the importance of promoting an approach to this infection through a One-Health lens. A national structured plan to control leishmaniasis could overcome some of the barriers pointed out by professionals, namely by implementing systematic phlebotomine surveillance and integrated reporting of animal and human cases of disease.Graphical abstract

Distribution of Aedes mosquito species along the rural–urban gradient in Lambaréné and its surroundings

BackgroundAedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are known for their potential as vectors of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. However, entomological surveys are mostly carried out during epidemics. In Gabon where outbreaks of both viruses have occurred, there is no vector control program targeting these arboviruses. Therefore, we assessed the presence of Aedes species along a rural–urban gradient in Lambaréné (Gabon) and its surroundings and determined ecological factors associated to their presence.MethodsAn entomological survey was conducted in Lambaréné and its surrounding rural areas. Mosquitoes were collected with aspirators around human dwellings, and ecological and environmental data were collected from each study area. Morphological identification keys were used to identify Aedes species. RNA was extracted from pools of female mosquitoes and amplified by RT-qPCR to detect the presence of DENV and CHIKV.ResultsOverall, the most common vector collected was Aedes albopictus (97%, 4236/4367 specimens), followed by Aedes aegypti (3%, 131/4367). Albopictus vectors was more abundant in the rural area (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Z = 627, P = 0.043) than in the urban area. In the urban area, a higher number of mosquitoes (45%) were recorded in the economic zone (zone 3) than in the historical and administrative zones (zone 1 and 2). In the rural area, the proportions of species numbers were significantly higher along the south rural transect (92%) compared to the north rural transect (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Z = 43, P ˂ 0.016). We also noted a high abundance of vectors in environments characterized by monocultures of Hevea brasiliensis (Hevea) and Manihot esculenta (cassava) (Kruskal–Wallis H-test, H = 25.7, df = 2, P < 0.001). Finally, no mosquito pools were positive for either DENV or CHIKV.ConclusionAedes albopictus was the dominant vector across the study sites due to its high invasiveness capacity. This presence re-affirms the potential for local transmission of both DENV and CHIKV, as indicated previously by serological surveys conducted in our study area, even though no transmission was detected during the current study. These findings underscore the need for regular arbovirus surveillance in the study region, with the aim of supporting vector control efforts in the event of outbreaks.Graphical

Quantifying the invasion risk of West Nile virus: Insights from a multi-vector and multi-host SEIR model

The invasion of vector-borne diseases depends on the type of specific features of the vector and hosts at play. Within the Culex pipiens complex, differences in ecology, biology, and vector competence can influence the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks. To determine which life-history traits affect WNV invasion into susceptible communities the most, we constructed an epidemiological Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered model with three vector (eco)types, Culex pipiens pipiens, Cx. pip. molestus, and their hybrids, and two vertebrate hosts, birds (as amplifying hosts) and humans (as dead-end hosts). We investigated how differences in feeding preferences and transmission rates influenced WNV transmission across different habitats and two seasons (Spring versus Summer), to investigate the impact of increasing mosquitoes on the WNV transmission risk. Our results showed that vector feeding preferences and the transmission rate between mosquitoes and birds were the parameters that most influenced WNV invasion risk. Even though our model did not predict WNV invasion across any of the studied environments, we found that natural habitats displayed the highest susceptibility to WNV invasion. Pipiens (eco)type acted as the primary vector in all habitats. Hybrids, contrary to common opinion, showed minimal involvement in WNV transmission. However, it is important to interpret our study results with caution due to the possibility of idealized spring and summer seasons being reflected in the field-collected data. Our study could be a tool to enhance current vector surveillance and control programs by targeting specific vector types in specific environments, especially in natural habitat, which are most responsive to environmental shifts. The joint approach based on epidemiological modelling based on field collected data can help to reduce wasted time and economic costs while maximizing the efficiency of local public health authorities.

Seroepidemiological Survey of Chronic Chagas Disease in a Rural Community in Southern Bahia, Brazil, Using Recombinant Chimeric Antigens.

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease with life-threatening implications. In this study, we conducted a seroepidemiological survey to determine the prevalence and clinical profiles of CD in 217 individuals from an impoverished rural community in Southern Bahia, Brazil. The overall prevalence of CD in the studied community was 0.92%, detected through latent class analysis (LCA). Two individuals tested positive for anti-T. cruzi IgG, both being male farmers. One case was a 22-year-old man born in Camamu, with no evidence of congenital transmission, suggesting other routes of transmission such as vector-borne transmission due to migratory activities. The other case was a 69-year-old man born in São Felipe, who had lived in an adobe/brick house and had a pacemaker due to cardiac involvement caused by CD. The prevalence in this community was lower than expected, given the socioeconomic conditions and environmental factors that contribute to T. cruzi transmission. This could be attributed to the implementation of preventive measures and vector control programs by the Brazilian Government. However, continuous monitoring and surveillance are essential to sustain control efforts and detect any potential re-emergence of the disease. While the overall prevalence was low, the detection of positive cases underscores the need for continued surveillance and control measures in vulnerable populations, such as rural communities. Active surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely treatment are crucial in preventing disease progression and complications, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of screening and treatment programs.

Vaccine Candidates for Arboviruses with Pandemic Potential: A Mini Review

The increasing prevalence of arboviral diseases, driven by urbanization and travel, coupled with the absence of specific treatments or vaccinations, has led to a growing burden on global health. Despite the implementation of vector control programs, outbreaks continue to occur. While vaccines are considered the ultimate solution, progress in the development of vaccines for dengue virus, Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, and West Nile virus has been limited, due to factors such as limited access to target populations, lack of funding, and concerns about safety and efficacy across all age groups. Furthermore, the growing trend of vaccine hesitancy presents a significant barrier to future vaccine adoption. This review provides a subtle overview of current progress in the development of vaccine candidates for these prevalent arboviral diseases.

Phytotelmata accounts for Aedes breeding places in Mantup Sub-district, Lamongan District, Indonesia

Abstract. Fauziyah S, Susanti SF, Hariyono H, Fazirrah V, Novitasari AE, Fadhilah N, Sucipto TH, Naw SW. 2023. Phytotelmata accounts for Aedes breeding places in Mantup Sub-district, Lamongan District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 4820-4828. Dengue infection still remains a public health problem in Indonesia, which is classified as a tropical country. Some environmental factors that contribute to the transmission of dengue infection are human migration, human activity, food supply, and climate change. The other type of breeding place is natural breeding habitats, called phytotelmata. This study aims to investigate the diversity of Aedes species in phytotelmata from Mantup Sub-district, Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia. The analytical observational study was conducted with a purposive sampling design. Mosquito larvae collection was carried out from February to March 2023 in Mantup Sub-district, an endemic region of dengue infection in Lamongan. Immature mosquitoes were reared in the laboratory till they merged into adult mosquitoes. This study found four groups of phytotelmata: leaf axils, bamboo joints, fallen leaves, and coconut shells. Leaf axils were the predominant type of phytotelmata (86.67%). Meanwhile, the lowest percentage was coconut shells and fallen leaves (3.33%). A total of 56 mosquito larvae consisting of 12 male Aedes aegypti, 21 female Ae. aegypti, 12 male Aedes albopictus, and 11 female Ae. albopictus were collected from 30 observation points. Eleven families of phytotelmata were found in this study. The predominant family was Araceae (33.3%), while the lowest were Agavaceae, Commelinaceae, Marantaceae, and Liliaceae (3.33%). Phytotelmata accounts for mosquito breeding places, which should be noticed and considered in dengue vector control programs.

Response to insecticides and underlying mechanisms of resistance in the field populations of Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Puducherry, India.

Mosquito-borne diseases are major threats to human health worldwide. Successful control of vector mosquitoes requires periodic updates on their response to the insecticides that are in use. Different classes of neurotoxic insecticides have been used in vector control programs. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the primary vectors of dengue and have developed resistance to organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids that are used in vector control programs. Monitoring insecticide pressure and studying the underlying mechanisms of resistance in the field populations of Aedes aegypti are important to formulate resistant management strategies for their control programs. Aedes aegypti were collected from study sites Lawspet and Abishegapakkam and F1 progeny was subject to biochemical assays to determine the enzyme activity. Insecticide susceptibility tests were conducted to determine vector susceptibility/resistance to malathion and deltamethrin. Adult dried mosquitoes were subjected to multiplex PCR to detect point mutation in the VGSC gene. Insecticide susceptibility test results revealed that Aedes aegypti is resistant to malathion and incipient resistance to deltamethrin has emerged. It was observed that β-esterase and monoxygense activity were significantly higher in Lawspet sample than the laboratory strain, whereas it was comparatively lower in Abishegapakkam sample than laboratory strain. Multiplex PCR assays showed no kdr mutation in all Ae. aegypti strains. Monitoring insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti would help the local health authorities to implement a rationalized approach for insecticide use in vector control.

Preliminary study on prevalence of hemoprotozoan parasites harbored by Stomoxys (Diptera: Muscidae) and tabanid flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in horse farms in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Southern Thailand.

Stomoxys and tabanid flies are of medical and veterinary importance because they play crucial roles in disease transmission as mechanical vectors of various hemopathogens. However, its role as a hemoprotozoan parasite vector in horse farms has not been studied. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of hemoprotozoan parasites belonging to the genera Babesia, Theileria, and Trypanosoma in Stomoxys and tabanid flies using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. All samples (Stomoxys and tabanid flies) were collected using an Nzi trap for three consecutive days each month from November 2022 to March 2023. The flies were morphologically identified to the species level and separated according to sex. Individual (for tabanid flies) or pooled samples (consisting of three specimens of Stomoxys flies of the same species and sex collected from the same site) were used for DNA extraction. Conventional PCR was used to screen for hemoprotozoan parasite DNA, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify the species. In total, 189 biting flies were collected, including four species of Stomoxys (Stomoxys bengalensis, Stomoxys calcitrans, Stomoxys indicus, and Stomoxys sitiens) and five species of tabanids (Atylotus cryptotaxis, Chrysops dispar, Tabanus megalops, Tabanus mesogaeus, and Tabanus rubidus). Stomoxys calcitrans was the most prevalent species, accounting for 58.7% (n = 111) of the collected flies. Ten (12.4%) of the 81 samples (individuals and pools) analyzed by PCR were positive for the 18S rRNA gene of the Theileria/Babesia species. Trypanosoma DNA was not detected in any sample. After performing Basic Local Alignment Search Tool searches and a phylogenetic analysis, only six samples (7.4%), including S. calcitrans (n = 2), S. sitiens (n = 2), T. megalops (n = 1), and A. cryptotaxis (n = 1), were found to be infected with Theileria sinensis. Furthermore, apicomplexan parasites, namely, Mattesia spp. and Colpodella spp., were found on S. indicus, the fungus Meira spp. was found on S. calcitrans, and the pathogenic green alga Helicosporidium spp. was found on A. cryptotaxis. This study is the first to report a variety of Stomoxys and tabanid flies collected from horse farms in Thailand, which were found to be infected with Theileria and Colpodella species that affect mammals, suggesting that Stomoxys and tabanid flies can be used to confirm the presence of hemoprotozoan parasites in the study area. Understanding the presence of hemoprotozoa in flies could help design vector control programs and manage various diseases in the study area.

Randomized detection of kdr allele frequencies in wild populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most affected countries in South Asia by dengue fever, with the number of dengue cases increasing over the last five years. The main strategy for managing disease outbreaks is to reduce infected vector populations with pyrethroid insecticides. However, extensive pyrethroid exposure has resulted in an increase in the selection of knockdown resistance mutations in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera, Culicidae) voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene that confer pyrethroid resistance. Colombo district records the highest dengue incidence across the country each year, thus a failed vector control program will be a major threat to public health. Multiplexed Allele-specific PCR was used to genotype kdr alleles in wild Ae. aegypti mosquitoes obtained via random sampling from Wellawatte, Borella, and Battaramulla areas in the Colombo district. This study presents the co-occurrence of F1534C and V1016G kdr mutations from a randomized population in the Colombo district. 1534C mutant allele was predominant (with a 56.7% frequency) and 1016G was prevalent in 32.5 per cent of the population. The heterozygous mutant 1016VG genotype showed the highest distribution (with a 65% frequency) and the incidence of 1534FC was 56.7 per cent. Interestingly, 1016GG was completely absent and the FC/VG mutation combination had the highest incidence with 46.7 per cent. Furthermore, 82.36 per cent of individuals with the 1534FC genotype also had the 1016VG genotype, indicating a high prevalence of pyrethroid resistance in the studied population.

Determination of insecticide resistence associated insensitive acetylcholinesterase in Culex quinquefasciatus, Say,1823 (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in Yucatán, Mexico

Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme whose main function is to terminate the transmission of nerve impulses in the cholinergic synapse in insects through the hydrolysis of acetylcholine. However, frequent applications of insecticides can select for individuals with an alteration in the enzyme and functional changes that result in an insensitivity to insecticides. In Mexico, the current strategy to combat insect vectors such as Culex quinquefasciatus is based mainly on the use of synthetic insecticides. The use of these chemicals in health and agricultural practices may also contribute to mosquito insensitivity to several groups of insecticides. Therefore, it is considered necessary to determine if there is any physiological mechanism associated with resistance. For this reason, the objective of this research was to identify if there is insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to insecticides in Cx. quinquefasciatus populations, collected in urban and rural areas of the State of Yucatán, Mexico. Enzymatic tests were carried out with slight modifications to the established protocols. Areas were identified with mosquito populations showing acetylcholinesterase insensitivity to propoxur, a carbamate insecticide. We consider it important to determine the environmental factors that affect the behavior and response of mosquitoes following exposure to insecticides, and this knowledge could inform the design of efficient strategies in vector control programs.

Utilization of Digital Health Applications in Implementing the Dengue Vector Control Program

&lt;div&gt;&lt;table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td align="left" valign="top"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;One House One Larva Monitor Movement is a dengue vector control program of the Ministry of Health which has been promoted since 2016. However, there are still several areas that have not been successful in implementing this movement, one of which includes the City of Padang. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of using digital applications in implementing dengue vector control programs. This research is a research with qualitative methods using the case study genre through a constructivist approach. The location of the qualitative research was carried out at the Padang City Health Office, in the working areas of the Nanggalo Health Center, Pagambiran Health Center, and Rawang Health Center which were designated as research areas. This research was conducted in 2023 with informants including the person in charge of the dengue fever program at the Padang City Health Service, the person in charge of the dengue fever program at the Community Health Center, and the larva monitoring coordinator. The results of the study indicate that efforts to control dengue vectors through the One House One larva monitor Movement are still not running as they should. This movement can only run when larva monitor performs its main tasks and functions in accordance with the provisions. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out coaching and supervision efforts. However, there are several obstacles that require the design of a comprehensive and integrated digital health application to improve the health information system to improve the performance of larva monitors.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keyword: DHF, Digital Health, Vector Dengue&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Profiling Insecticide Susceptibility of Aedes Albopictus From Hot Springs in Selangor, Malaysia.

The present study establishes insecticide susceptibility profiles of Aedes albopictus adult populations from 4 hot springs in Selangor, Malaysia, against 7 pyrethroids through an adult mosquito susceptibility bioassay. All Ae. albopictus populations were subjected to a 1-h exposure to each pyrethroid following the World Health Organization. The mortalities were recorded at 60 min of exposure to bifenthrin, 30 min for other pyrethroids, and 24 h posttreatment for all pyrethroids. Complete mortalities were observed upon exposures to the pyrethroids under 60 min and at 24 h posttreatment, excluding permethrin 0.25%, alpha-cypermethrin 0.05%, and bifenthrin 0.2%. These findings indicated that permethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, and etofenprox possess the recommended pyrethroid adulticide active ingredients that could be applied in vector control programs at these hot springs in the future. Nevertheless, the application of pyrethroids should be carefully monitored in rotation with other insecticide classes, including organophosphates and carbamates to avoid the development of insecticide resistance among mosquito vectors towards all insecticides. Although there were no reported cases of Aedes-borne pathogens at these hot springs to date, the current study results could still assist the Malaysian health authorities in determining approaches to control Aedes populations in these hot springs, if required in the future.

Process and Methodological Considerations for Observational Analyses of Vector Control Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa Using Routine Malaria Data.

Progress in malaria control has stalled in recent years. With growing resistance to existing malaria vector control insecticides and the introduction of new vector control products, national malaria control programs (NMCPs) increasingly need to make data-driven, subnational decisions to inform vector control deployment. As NMCPs are increasingly conducting subnational stratification of malaria control interventions, including malaria vector control, country-specific frameworks and platforms are increasingly needed to guide data use for vector control deployment. Integration of routine health systems data, entomological data, and vector control program data in observational longitudinal analyses offers an opportunity for NMCPs and research institutions to conduct evaluations of existing and novel vector control interventions. Drawing on the experience of implementing 22 vector control evaluations across 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as published and gray literature on vector control impact evaluations using routine health information system data, this article provides practical guidance on the design of these evaluations, makes recommendations for key variables and data sources, and proposes methods to address challenges in data quality. Key recommendations include appropriate parameterization of impact and coverage indicators, incorporating explanatory covariates and contextual factors from multiple sources (including rapid diagnostic testing stockouts; insecticide susceptibility; vector density measures; vector control coverage, use, and durability; climate and other malaria and non-malaria health programs), and assessing data quality before the evaluation through either on-the-ground or remote data quality assessments. These recommendations may increase the frequency, rigor, and utilization of routine data sources to inform national program decision-making for vector control.

Species composition, infection rate and detection of resistant alleles in Anopheles funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Lare, a malaria hotspot district of Ethiopia

BackgroundAnopheles funestus, which is considered as secondary vector of malaria in Ethiopia, is known to have several morphologically indistinguishable (sibling) species. Accurate identification of sibling species is crucial to understand their biology, behaviour and vector competence. In this study, molecular identification was conducted on the Ethiopian An. funestus populations. Moreover, insecticide resistance mechanism markers were detected, including ace N485I, kdr L1014F, L1014S, and CYP6P9a TaqMan qPCR was used to detect the infective stage of the parasite from field collected adult female An. funestus populations.MethodsAdult female mosquito collection was conducted from Lare, Gambella Regional State of Ethiopia between June 2018 to July 2020 using CDC light traps and HLC. Sub-samples of the morphologically identified An. funestus mosquitoes were molecularly identified using species-specific PCR, and the possible presence of insecticide resistance alleles was investigated using TaqMan qPCR (N485I-Ace-1), PCR-Sanger sequencing (L1014F-kdr), and PCR–RFLP (CYP6P9a resistance allele). Following head/thorax dissection, the TaqMan qPCR assay was used to investigate the presence of the infective stage Plasmodium parasite species.ResultsA total of 1086 adult female An. funestus mosquitoes were collected during the study period. All sub-samples (N = 20) that were morphologically identified as An. funestus sensu lato (s.l.) were identified as An. funestus sensu stricto (s.s.) using species- specific PCR assay. The PCR–RFLP assay that detects the CYP6P9a resistance allele that confers pyrethroid resistance in An. funestus was applied in N = 30 randomly selected An. funestus s.l. specimens. None of the specimens showed a digestion pattern consistent with the presence of the CYP6P9a resistance allele in contrast to what was observed in the positive control. Consequently, all samples were characterized as wild type. The qPCR TaqMan assay that detects the N485I acetylcholinesterase-1 mutation conferring resistance to organophosphates/carbamates in An. funestus was used in (N = 144) samples. All samples were characterized as wild type. The kdr L1014F and L1014S mutations in the VGSC gene that confer resistance to pyrethroids and DDT were analysed with direct Sanger sequencing after PCR and clean-up of the PCR products were also characterized as wild type. None of the samples (N = 169) were found positive for Plasmodium (P. falciparum/ovale/malariae/vivax) detection.ConclusionAll An. funestus s.l. samples from Lare were molecularly identified as An. funestus s.s. No CYP6P9, N485I acetylcholinesterase 1, kdr L1014F or L1014S mutations were detected in the An. funestus samples. None of the An. funestus samples were positive for Plasmodium. Although the current study did not detect any insecticide resistant mechanism, it provides a reference for future vector monitoring programmes. Regular monitoring of resistance mechanisms covering wider geographical areas of Ethiopia where this vector is distributed is important for improving the efficacy of vector control programs.

Operational Considerations for Using Deer-Targeted 4-Poster Tick Control Devices in a Tick-borne Disease Endemic Community.

In the northeastern United States, recommendations to prevent diseases spread by black-legged ticks ( Ixodes scapularis ) and lone star ticks ( Amblyomma americanum ) often rely on individuals to use personal protection or yard-based strategies. The 4-Poster deer treatment stations (4-Posters) suppress tick populations by treating deer hosts with acaricide, potentially offering a community-wide approach for reducing tick-borne diseases in endemic areas. The 4-Poster deployment logistics in mainland community settings are not well documented but are needed for future public health tick control efforts. As part of a public health research effort to design a population-based 4-Poster effectiveness study aimed at reducing tick-borne disease incidence, TickNET researchers partnered with the Town of Ridgefield (Connecticut) to understand the feasibility and operational logistics of deploying 4-Posters on public land within a residential community to inform future public health interventions by municipalities or vector control agencies. We deployed three 4-Posters on a municipal property from July to December 2020 and used motion-activated cameras to record wildlife activity nearby. We documented per-device operational details, costs, materials consumed, and animal activity. Operation of 4-Posters was feasible, and device challenges were easily remedied. Deer visitation and heavy nontarget animal use were documented at all devices. Unexpectedly, monthly corn consumption was not correlated with monthly deer-view days. The monthly cost per device was US $1279 or US $305 per hectare with an average 21 minutes of weekly service time. Use of 4-Posters by communities, public health agencies, or vector control programs may be a practicable addition to tick management programs in tick-borne disease endemic areas in the Northeast. Such programs should carefully consider local and state regulations, follow manufacturer and pesticide label guidelines, and include wildlife monitoring. High labor costs incurred in this project could be mitigated by training vector control agency or municipality staff to service 4-Posters.

The Implementation of Eradication of Mosquito Nest PSN 3M Plus Program in Jember Region

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a viral infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and is a public health problem in the world. The implementation of the vector control program as an effort to prevent dengue through the PSN 3M plus program in the community is still not optimal, due to a lack of community participation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of the PSN 3M Plus program in the Jember area. The research design used a pre-experimental design with one group pre-test and post test design. The research sample was the people in the area who had been infected with DHF in the last 1 year at a distance of 100 meters from the sufferer, namely 50 families. The data collection technique used a community behavior questionnaire in implementing the 3M plus PSN program. Data analysis techniques were carried out using univariate and bivariate methods. The results of this study show that 40% of respondents experienced an increase in PSN behavior scores after implementing PSN 3M Plus, 44% experienced a decrease and 16% had a fixed score. Program implementation carried out through socialization efforts, the G1R1J and the larva monitoring movement by jumantik cadres in less than 2 months was able to change the positive behavior of the community by 40%. It is hoped that the PSN 3M plus program will continue to be socialized and its implementation monitored so that the program's objectives are achieved as an effort to prevent DHF.

Effectiveness of Indoor Residual Spraying as A Method of Controlling Dengue Fever in Communities: A systematic review

Background: Dengue remains a significant public health issue in the Western Pacific Region. In the absence of a vaccine, vector control is the mainstay for dengue prevention and control. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Indoor Residual Spraying as A Method of Controlling Dengue Fever in Communities. Subjects and Method: A systematic review was conducted by searching articles from PubMed, ResearchGate, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and EBSCO is an article published from 2013 to 2023. The keywords were “dengue hemorrhagic fever” OR “DHF” AND “community” OR “family” AND “disaster” AND “IRS” OR “indoor residual spraying”. The inclusion criteria were a Cross-sectional study. The articles were selected by PRISMA flow diagram method. Results: A total of 9 studies were included in this review. All of the studies stated that IRS can have both an immediate and sustained effect on reducing adult and immature A. aegypti populations and should be considered as an adult mosquito control strategy by dengue vector control programs also IRS led to 86-96% reduction in dengue cases in sprayed premises, compared to unsprayed controls. Conclusion: IRS significantly reduces the malaria burden in high-transmission settings. Keywords: dengue hemorrhagic fever, DHF, family, community. Correspondence: Titik Anggraeni. School of Health Sciences Estu Utomo Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia. Jl. Tentara Pelajar 7, Mudal, Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: titik.anggraeni146@gmail.com. Mobile: +62 858-6729-2673.