Impact of MiraNet® long-lasting insecticidal net against Anopheles arabiensis wild population of Northern Tanzania.

Despite high levels of pyrethroid resistance reported in malaria vectors, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LNs) still play a key role in controlling malaria transmission. This study tested the efficacy of MiraNet®, a pyrethroid-based LN against a wild population of Anopheles arabiensis in northern Tanzania. DuraNet® was used as a positive control in this evaluation.

Novel Indoor Residual Spray Insecticide With Extended Mortality Effect: A Case of SumiShield 50WG Against Wild Resistant Populations of in Northern Tanzania.

Background: Resistance of malaria vectors to different classes of insecticides has been reported in malaria-endemic areas. Identifying new indoor residual spray (IRS) compounds that are effective against resistant vector populations is a high priority in managing insecticide resistance.

Method: A biological efficacy trial was conducted in the field from August 2016 to February 2017 to determine the efficacy of SumiShield 50WG, a new insecticide class, against wild .

Bio-efficacy of deltamethrin based durable wall lining against wild populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Northern Tanzania.

Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is one of the preferred tools used for control of malaria in many settings in the world. However, this control tool still faces challenges that include lack of long lasting active ingredient, limited number of well-trained personal, and need of repeated treatment which increases operational costs and reduces acceptability by residents. As a result there is need to develop and validate other methods which can complement the existing controls.

Characterisation of larval habitats, species composition and factors associated with the seasonal abundance of mosquito fauna in Gezira, Sudan.

Background: Larval source management (LSM), which requires an understanding of the ecology and composition of the local mosquito fauna, is an important parameter in successful vector control programmes. The present study was conducted to understand the distribution of larval habitats, species composition and factors associated with the seasonal abundance of mosquito larvae in Gezira irrigation Scheme in Gezira state, central Sudan.

Methods: Cross-sectional larval surveys were carried out in the communities of Barakat (urban) and El-Kareiba (semi-urban), in Wad Madani, Gezira.

Rift Valley fever: current challenges and future prospects.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic, mosquito-borne viral disease that affects human health and causes significant losses in the livestock industry. Recent outbreaks have led to severe human infections with high mortality rates. There are many challenges to applying effective preventive and control measures, including weak infrastructure of health facilities, lack of capacity and support systems for field logistics and communication, access to global expert organizations, and insufficient information on the epidemiological and reservoir status of the RVF virus.

Assessment of mosquito larval productivity among different land use types for targeted malaria vector control in the western Kenya highlands.

Background: Mosquito larval source management (LSM) is likely to be more effective when adequate information such as dominant species, seasonal abundance, type of productive habitat, and land use type are available for targeted sites. LSM has been an effective strategy for reducing malaria morbidity in both urban and rural areas in Africa where sufficient proportions of larval habitats can be targeted. In this study, we conducted longitudinal larval source surveillance in the western Kenya highlands, generating data which can be used to establish cost-effective targeted intervention tools.

Recent outbreaks of rift valley Fever in East Africa and the middle East.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an important neglected, emerging, mosquito-borne disease with severe negative impact on human and animal health. Mosquitoes in the Aedes genus have been considered as the reservoir, as well as vectors, since their transovarially infected eggs withstand desiccation and larvae hatch when in contact with water. However, different mosquito species serve as epizootic/epidemic vectors of RVF, creating a complex epidemiologic pattern in East Africa.

Malaria in East African highlands during the past 30 years: impact of environmental changes.

East African highlands are one of the most populated regions in Africa. The population densities in the highlands ranged between 158 persons/km(2) in Ethiopia and 410 persons/km(2) in Rwanda. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the region has the world's highest population growth rate.

Durability associated efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets after five years of household use.

Background: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been strongly advocated for use to prevent malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and have significantly reduced human-vector contact. PermaNet® 2.0 is among the five LLINs brands which have been given full approval by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES).

Extensive permethrin and DDT resistance in Anopheles arabiensis from eastern and central Sudan.

Background: The distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITN) has been dramatically scaled up in eastern and central Sudan. Resistance to insecticides has already been reported in this region and there is an urgent need to develop appropriate resistance management strategies, which requires detailed information on the extent and causes of resistance. This study assessed resistance to permethrin and DDT in seven populations of Anopheles arabiensis from Sudan.

Pattern of malaria transmission along the Rahad River basin, Eastern Sudan.

Background: Understanding malaria vector mosquitoes and their infectivity dynamics is of importance in setting up intervention and control programmes. Patterns of malaria transmission have been shown to differ between non-irrigated and irrigated semi-arid areas of eastern Sudan. However, very little information is available regarding malaria transmission dynamics along the seasonal river's basin.

Changing patterns of malaria epidemiology between 2002 and 2010 in Western Kenya: the fall and rise of malaria.

Background: The impact of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) on reducing malaria incidence is shown mainly through data collection from health facilities. Routine evaluation of long-term epidemiological and entomological dynamics is currently unavailable. In Kenya, new policies supporting the provision of free ITNs were implemented nationwide in June 2006.

Habitat stability and occurrences of malaria vector larvae in western Kenya highlands.

Background: Although the occurrence of malaria vector larvae in the valleys of western Kenya highlands is well documented, knowledge of larval habitats in the uphill sites is lacking. Given that most inhabitants of the highlands actually dwell in the uphill regions, it is important to develop understanding of mosquito breeding habitat stability in these sites in order to determine their potential for larval control.

Methods: A total of 128 potential larval habitats were identified in hilltops and along the seasonal streams in the Sigalagala area of Kakamega district, western Kenya.

Short report: permethrin and DDT resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis from eastern Sudan.

Assessment of resistance to DDT and permethrin insecticides and molecular detection of knockdown resistance (kdr) alleles were conducted in three populations of Anopheles arabiensis from eastern Sudan. Bioassay mortalities ranged from 96.9% to 99.