Effect of passive zooprophylaxis on malaria transmission in The Gambia.

The effect of zooprophylaxis on malaria transmission has not been studied on the African continent despite that the World Health Organization has recommended this intervention method since 1982. The effect of passive zooprophylaxis on malaria vector abundance, mosquito feeding preferences, and infectivity was studied in an area of moderate seasonal transmission in The Gambia. A paired cohort of 204 children <7 yr of age was selected and matched in groups for presence or absence of cattle (Bos taurus) within 20 m of their bedroom.

Comparison of bednets treated with alphacypermethrin, permethrin or lambdacyhalothrin against Anopheles gambiae in the Gambia.

In the Gambian village of Saruja, where malaria is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex, a trial was undertaken of the acceptability and efficacy of bednets treated with one of three pyrethroid insecticides--alphacypermethrin 40 mg/m2, permethrin 500 mg/m2 and lambdacyhalothrin 10 mg/ m2. Fewer mosquitoes were found alive under nets treated with insecticide than under control nets. Significantly more dead mosquitoes were found under nets treated with alphacypermethrin than under nets treated with permethrin or lambdacyhalothrin.