Download the Tech Updates highlighting vector biology and control news, publications and resources.
Given the breadth of vector control related literature, we are unable to include all relevant work. These updates are intended to focus primarily on Anopheles biology and a subset of control topics with global relevance.
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View/download the Tech Updates highlighting vector biology and control news, publications and resources.
Given the breadth of vector control related literature, we are unable to include all relevant work. These updates are intended to focus primarily on Anopheles biology and a subset of control topics with global relevance.
Any views expressed in the updates do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of IVCC. In many cases, we directly quote sections of published work. Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by IVCC or its funders.
Download the Tech Updates highlighting vector biology and control news, publications and resources.
Given the breadth of vector control related literature, we are unable to include all relevant work. These updates are intended to focus primarily on Anopheles biology and a subset of control topics with global relevance.
Any views expressed in the updates do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of IVCC. In many cases, we directly quote sections of published work. Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by IVCC or its funders.
Mosquito nets have saved millions of lives since they have been widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. And now a study in Zambia has shown that they also increase the local harvest.
The one year study of a farming community in Zambia demonstrated that a programme of subsidised net distribution yielded important economic benefits to rural communities due to preventative health investment.
When given access to free nets a typical harvest increased by 14.7%.
Bednets — good for health and good for the harvest.
Health and Agricultural Productivity: Evidence from Zambia; Fink, G. and Masiye, F. Journal of Health Economics 42, 151-164, (2015).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167629615000521?via%3Dihub
LLINs – Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets 30th September 2015Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) have a substantial effect on mosquitoes, even if the contact is brief, according to a fascinating new study of mosquito behaviour carried out at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
The study set out to investigate how mosquitoes interact with bednets, now widely regarded as the most effective preventive element in malaria control.
Using infra red technology it tracked the flight of Anopheles Gambiae mosquitoes around bednets that were occupied by people. Four key behaviours were identified: swooping, visiting, bouncing and resting. Nearly 75% of the activity took place at the top of the bednet above the occupant’s torso.
Bednets that were treated with insecticides had a rapid effect on mosquitoes—contact of even less than a minute substantially reduced activity. After 30 minutes there was virtually no activity around the insecticide treated bednets. The researchers concluded that LLINs do not repel mosquitoes, but they function as a ‘highly efficient fast-acting baited insecticide trap.’
The paper ‘Infrared video tracking of Anopheles gambiae at insecticide-treated bed nets reveals rapid decisive impact after brief localised net contact’ is published in Scientific Reports. You can read it online here.
Parker, J.E.A. et al. Infrared video tracking of Anopheles gambiae at insecticide-treated bed nets reveals rapid decisive impact after brief localised net contact. Sci. Rep. 5, 13392; doi: 10.1038/srep13392 (2015)