Alternative strategies for mosquito-borne arbovirus control

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Entomology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Mosquito-borne arboviruses (e.g., Zika, dengue) pose significant global health threats.
• Current vector control methods are failing to prevent epidemics and geographic spread.
• There is an urgent need for optimized integrated strategies and innovative vector control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of alternative, innovative strategies for mosquito-borne arbovirus control.
• To discuss strategies being evaluated for public health value and insecticide resistance mitigation.
• To highlight the importance of epidemiological evidence for strategy endorsement.

Main Methods:

• Review of alternative vector control strategies under evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Focus on strategies with potential to mitigate insecticide resistance (IR).
• Consideration of the mechanism of action for each strategy.

Main Results:

• Alternative strategies are being developed to address the growing burden of arboviruses.
• These strategies aim to mitigate insecticide resistance and enhance public health value.
• Implementation decisions depend on eco-epidemiological parameters and impact on transmission.

Conclusions:

• New vector control tools and integrated strategies are essential to manage the increasing global burden of mosquito-borne arboviruses.
• The effectiveness of alternative strategies hinges on their ability to optimally impact eco-epidemiological parameters.
• Driving down arbovirus transmission requires a strategic approach to vector control.