Study of larvivorous fish for malaria vector control in Somalia, 2002

An intervention study was conducted on the introduction of the larvivorous fish Oreochromis spilurus spilurus as a method of malaria vector control in Kalabeydh village, northern Somalia. This species is resistant to chlorine in water up to a concentration of 1.0 mg/L. Fish were introduced into 25 berkit (reservoirs). After 1 month the number of larvae in each berkit was reduced by between 16.5% and 78.6% (mean 52.8%). Community acceptance and participation was good. The introduction of larvivorous fish is a cheap method of malaria vector control, but its sustainability needs special consideration and education of the community is important, especially to cover the dry season, when most of the berkit dry up.