VECTOR CONTROL
Ms MA Groepe
OUTLINE
• Introduction
• What is a vector?
• Type of vectors
• Vector borne diseases
• Vector control strategies
• Surveillance, monitoring vectors
• Role of the entomologist
• Integrated vector management
INTRODUCTION
• Vector-borne infections, diseases caused by
pathogens transmitted by insects and ticks,
have long impacted human affairs
• The Black Death, killer of tens of millions
worldwide is the work of a tiny flea vectoring
the bacilli that cause bubonic plague from rats
to people.
• Vector-borne infections today is responsible
for filling the hospitals of sub-Saharan Africa
with malaria victims,
INTRODUCTION
• Suppressing the economies of nations and
interrupting industrial operations where it
remains endemic.
• Can reach epidemic form very quickly
• When vector control is not in place then you
need to improve, awareness, diagnostic
facilities and treatment
What is a vector
• Is an insect or any animal that transmits a
disease to other animals or humans. Eg.
Mosquitoes, tsetse, ticks, lice, fleas, etc.
Types of vectors
• Mechanical vectors
– Transmit pathogens by transporting them on their feet or
mouthparts. Eg. Housefly
• Biological vectors
– These vectors are involved in the life-cycle of parasite /
arbovirus which must pass through the vector in order to
mature to an effective stage capable of being transmitted
to human or animal host when a vector takes a blood
meal.
Vector, disease, control
Vector Disease Control
Mosquito Malaria, Chemical, personal
(Anopheles, Culex, protection
Aedes) Yellow fever Vaccination
Dengue fever Vector control
Filariasis Vector control, drug therapy
Mosquito - Culex West Nile virus No Curative drug treatment
available – vector control
Tsetse fly (Glossina) Sleeping sickness Vector control, drug therapy
Sandfly (Phlebotomus) Leishmaniasis Drug therapy, vector control
Black flies (Simulium) River blindness Drug therapy, vector control
(onchocerciasis)
Fleas (Xenopsylla) Plague Antibiotics, vector control
Vector, disease, control
Vector Disease Control
Lice Relapsing fever Antibiotics, delousing
Ticks Crimean Congo No specific treatment
Mites Typhus Antibiotics, repellents
Reduvid Chaga’s Indoor residual spraying
bug or housing
improvements
Vector control strategies
• Chemical control (Adults)
• Space spraying
• Larval control
• Biological control
• Environmental control
• Personal protection
Biological information required for
vector control
• Investigate or know the following before
deciding on control intervention:
– Breeding sites
– Resting sites
– Transmission
– Blood source
– Dispersal range
– Population dynamics
Larval activity – breeding sites for
mosquitoes
Adult mosquito control – dengue fever
(Fogging)
Adult mosquito control – Indoor
residual spraying, Long Lasting
Insecticide treated nets
Surveillance, monitoring of vectors
• Routine surveillance required to understand
dynamics of vectors
• Vector mapping – important for vector
distribution
• Surveys – to find solutions to specific
questions
• Set up indicators – to monitor vectors
• Data management – to do analysis to inform
strategies.
Role of the entomologist
• To predict the likely vector problems
• To identify the vector
• To locate the breeding sites of the vector
• To test insecticide susceptibility
• To assist in designing a control programme
Integrated vector management (IVM)
Characteristics
• Factors influencing local vector biology, disease
transmission and morbidity
• Use of a range of interventions, often combination and
synergistically
• Collaboration within the health sector and other public
private sectors that impact on vectors
• Engaging with local communities and other stakeholders
• Public health regulatory and legislative framework
References
• [Link]
orne-diseases
* WHO neglected tropical disease Hill et al., 2005
THANK YOU
