Suppression of Aedes albopictus in Sri Lanka using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) with a sustained effect

Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern in Sri Lanka, leading to recurrent epidemics and imposing substantial socio-economic burdens. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against Aedes albopictus (Skuse), the predominant dengue vector in the country, through a pilot field trial of an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategy including the SIT. The pilot trial was conducted in the Gampaha district, which reports the second-highest number of dengue cases in the country. A total of 3,300,000 sterile males, exposed to a 50 Gy radiation dose, were released over 33 weeks (100,000/week) within a 30-hectare release area. Entomological assessments were conducted at 115 trapping stations over a period of 71 weeks (October 2020-August 2022). Induced sterility of 98.16% in mosquito eggs was reached within the release area as compared to the control area (binomial generalized linear mixed model, deviance 2.408, df = 2, p = 0.016), indicating a notable impact of the SIT. The trial achieved nearly 98% suppression of adult vector mosquitoes, with a sustained suppression effect for 13 weeks post cessation of releases. These findings suggest that SIT can be effectively integrated as a potential additional tool into the future IVM strategy in Sri Lanka.