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Visualizing Efficacy of Pesticides Against Disease Vector Mosquitoes in the Field
Published on: March 16, 2019
Efficacy of Metofluthrin Spatial Emanators to Reduce Human Vector Contact in Papua New Guinea
Michelle Katusele1,2, Petrina Johnson1,2, Elias Omera1
1Vector-borne Diseases Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Background:
Alternative vector control tools are needed to address rising malaria burden in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where outdoor transmission and reduced insecticidal efficacy of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) create persistent protection gaps. Volatile pyrethroid spatial emanators (SEs) release active ingredients that deter or kill mosquitoes, and 2 SE products have recently been WHO prequalified for malaria vector control.
Methods:
We evaluated the entomological efficacy of SumiOne™ SEs in 2 villages in PNG. Spatial emanators were installed indoors only or both indoors and outdoors in semi-enclosed peridomestic spaces, with 12 houses per intervention arm. Human landing catches and sentinel cage bioassays were conducted over 8 weeks and compared with a control arm.
Results:
Human-vector contact was significantly reduced indoors, with a protective efficacy of 60%-80% in both intervention arms for 5-6 weeks, declining at approximately 6%-7% per week. No significant reduction in outdoor human-vector contact was detected. Indoor sentinel cage bioassays showed >80% 24-hour mortality for 7 weeks, and complete 60 minute knockdown and inhibition of probing for 8 weeks.
Conclusions:
SumiOne™ SEs substantially reduced indoor mosquito exposure and may complement ITNs for malaria control in PNG. Future research should prioritize increased longevity and stronger outdoor impact.
