Malaria Vector Bionomics: Countrywide Surveillance Study on Implications for Malaria Elimination in India.

Background: The biological characteristics of mosquito vectors vary, impacting their response to control measures. Thus, having up-to-date information on vector bionomics is essential to maintain the effectiveness of existing control strategies and tools, particularly as India aims for malaria elimination by 2030.

Objective: This study aims to assess the proportions of vector species resting indoors and outdoors, determine their preference for host biting/feeding, identify transmission sites, and evaluate the susceptibility of vectors to insecticides used in public health programs.

Vaccination coverage and breakthrough infections of COVID-19 during the second wave among staff of selected medical institutions in India.

India experienced the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection from April 3 to June 10, 2021. During the second wave, Delta variant B.1617.

Evaluation of intron-1 of odorant-binding protein-1 of Anopheles stephensi as a marker for the identification of biological forms or putative sibling species.

Background: Anopheles stephensi, an invasive malaria vector, has been reported to have three biological forms identifiable mainly based on the number of ridges present on the egg's floats. Recently, the first intron of the odorant-binding protein-1 (AsteObp1) has been introduced as a molecular marker for the identification of these forms, and based on this marker, the presence of three putative sibling species (designated as species A, B and C) has been proposed. However, there is no data on the association of proposed markers with biological form or putative species on field populations.

Durability, household usage and washing pattern of DuraNet and Interceptor long-lasting insecticidal nets in long-term field trials in India.

Background & Objectives: Universal coverage of population with long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) living in endemic areas inhabited by ethnic tribal communities or in difficult to reach areas was found effective for disease control where other interventions such as indoor residual spraying have limited success because of operational issues. Evaluation of different LLINs with varied insecticides and fabrics are being evaluated to meet the demand of new products. This study was undertaken on two brands of LLINs, DuraNet© and Interceptor® that varied in fabric and manufacturing technologies to assess the usability in field conditions for atleast three years.

Small-scale (Phase II) evaluation of the efficacy and residual activity of SumiShield 50 WG (clothianidin 50%, w/w) for indoor residual spraying in comparison to deltamethrin, bendiocarb and pirimiphos-methyl for malaria vector control in Karnataka state, India.

Background & Objectives: There is an urgent need of introducing new insecticide molecules with novel modes of action to counter the ever growing insecticide-resistance in mosquito vectors. In the present study, a new insecticide molecule, SumiShield 50 WG (clothianidin 50%, w/w) was investigated for its efficacy as an indoor residual spray along with its residual action in comparison to deltamethrin, pirimiphos-methyl and bendiocarb.

Methods: The study area included three villages in Almatti Dam catchment area in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, India.

Chlorfenapyr: irritant effect compared to other insecticides and its intrinsic toxicity in multiple-insecticide-susceptible and -resistant Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae).

Background & Objectives: For effective management of vector resistance there is a need for new insecticide molecules with novel modes of action. For desired toxic effect of an insecticide, apart from other behavioural aspects, toxicity and chemical nature of the molecule are important that may cause irritability in the mosquito to the insecticide affecting the uptake. In this study, a pyrrole class insecticide, chlorfenapyr (a late acting insecticide) was tested for its irritability against multiple-insecticide-susceptible and -resistant strains of Anopheles stephensi Liston 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae).

Evaluation of indoor residual spray and insecticide treated bed nets in a malaria endemic area of Santhal Pargana, Dumka district (Jharkhand).

The study was carried out for evaluation of various activities of malaria control programme in five different tribal and malaria endemic Primary Health Centres of Dumka district (Jharkhand) during 2007-08. A total of 321 houses of 18 villages were surveyed on use of indoor residual spray (IRS) and insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) and other activities as tool for vector control and interrupting the transmission of malaria. Out of 690 living rooms and 343 verandahs examined, IRS with Dichlorodiphenyl-trichloro-ethane (DDT) was done only in 16.

Malaria in seasonal migrant population in Southern Gujarat, India.

Malaria in migrant workers is always a major problem to control due to their temporary stay in shelters, and other operational constraints. Hence, a study was undertaken in brick kilns in Bharuch district, Gujarat state, India to study the problem of malaria in the work force. Mass blood surveys were carried out in 15 brick kilns.

Evaluation of the impact of ZeroFly®, an insecticide incorporated plastic sheeting on malaria incidence in two temporary labour shelters in India.

Background & Objectives: Prevention of malaria is a major technical and operational problem in displaced and mobile populations such as refugee camps and temporary labour settlements. Insecticide incorporated plastic sheeting is a new technology to control mosquitoes in emergency shelters and also temporary habitations at different locations. In view of this, efficacy of ZeroFly® , an insecticide incorporated plastic sheeting (factory treated with deltamethrin 2.

Efficacy of Advanced Odomos repellent cream (N, N-diethyl-benzamide) against mosquito vectors.

Background & Objectives: Repellents are commonly used personal protection measures to avoid mosquito bites. In the present study, Advanced Odomos cream (12% N, N-diethyl-benzamide) was tested for its efficacy against mosquitoes in comparison to DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide).

Methods: Bioassays were conducted to assess the repellency of Advanced Odomos and DEET creams against Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti.

Field evaluation of lambda-cyhalothrin (ICON 10 CS) indoor residual spraying against Anopheles culicifacies in India.

Background & Objectives: Field trials of lambda-cyhalothrin 10 CS (ICON 10 CS) in indoor residual spraying (IRS) with 25 mg a.i./m2 against Anopheles culicifacies was undertaken vs malathion IRS (25% WP-2 g a.

Evaluation of the pyrrole insecticide chlorfenapyr for the control of Culex quinquefasciatus Say.

Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) is a widely distributed mosquito vector species in India and also in other tropical regions of the world. This species is implicated in the transmission of lymphatic filariasis in many countries. This species is reported to be widely resistant to insecticides of different classes in current use.

Chlorfenapyr: a new insecticide with novel mode of action can control pyrethroid resistant malaria vectors.

Background: Malaria vectors have acquired widespread resistance to many of the currently used insecticides, including synthetic pyrethroids. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop alternative insecticides for effective management of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. In the present study, chlorfenapyr was evaluated against Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi for its possible use in vector control.

Persistence of DDT, malathion & deltamethrin resistance in Anopheles culicifacies after their sequential withdrawal from indoor residual spraying in Surat district, India.

Background & Objectives: Under the national antimalaria programme DDT was introduced in early 1950s for vector control and later hexachloro cyclohexane (HCH) followed by malathion and recently synthetic pyrethroids in 1990s to manage the insecticide resistance in Anopheles culicifacies. Subsequent replacement led to development of multiple resistances in An. culicifacies in Surat district in Gujarat State.

Impact of etofenprox (Vectron 20 WP) indoor residual spray on malaria transmission.

Background & Objective: A longitudinal study was carried out to assess the impact of indoor residual spray with Vectron 20 WP (etofenprox) against Anopheles culicifacies and on malaria transmission in a selected village of Dadri primary health centre (PHC), District Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Methods: Two villages, namely Patadi and Anandpur in District Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, with similar malaria incidence and vector prevalence were selected for the present evaluation. In one village two rounds of indoor spraying of etofenprox (0.

Wash resistance and efficacy of three long-lasting insecticidal nets assessed from bioassays on Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi.

Objective: To test the wash resistance and efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), namely Olyset Net and PermaNet 2.0; and a long-lasting treatment kit, K-O Tab 1-2-3, on Anopheles culicifacies and An. stephensi, major malaria vectors in India, by bioassays.