Digitally managed larviciding as a cost-effective intervention for urban malaria: operational lessons from a pilot in São Tomé and Príncipe guided by the Zzapp system

Vigodny, Arbel; Aharon, Michael Ben; Wharton-Smith, Alexandra; Fialkoff, Yonatan; Houri-Yafin, Arnon; Bragança, Fernando; Graça, Flavio Soares Da; Glück, Dan; D’Abreu, João Alcântara Viegas; Rompão, Herodes

doi:10.1186/s12936-023-04543-0

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…The rise in availability of sophisticated, user-friendly and relatively low-cost drones, along with other digital tools, such as smartphones, has resulted in a number of studies testing their use for mapping malaria mosquito larval habitats across different landscapes [ 26 – 31 ]. Yet, key questions need to be answered before drones are added to the vector control toolbox: Can drone and smartphone technology be integrated into an operational LSM programme?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost and quality of operational larviciding using drones and smartphone technology

Hardy,

Haji,

Abbas

et al. 2023

Malar J

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Background Larval Source Management (LSM) is an important tool for malaria vector control and is recommended by WHO as a supplementary vector control measure. LSM has contributed in many successful attempts to eliminate the disease across the Globe. However, this approach is typically labour-intensive, largely due to the difficulties in locating and mapping potential malarial mosquito breeding sites. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential for drone imaging technology to map malaria vector breeding sites. However, key questions remain unanswered related to the use and cost of this technology within operational vector control. Methods Using Zanzibar (United Republic of Tanzania) as a demonstration site, a protocol was collaboratively designed that employs drones and smartphones for supporting operational LSM, termed the Spatial Intelligence System (SIS). SIS was evaluated over a four-month LSM programme by comparing key mapping accuracy indicators and relative costs (both mapping costs and intervention costs) against conventional ground-based methods. Additionally, malaria case incidence was compared between the SIS and conventional study areas, including an estimation of the incremental cost-effectiveness of switching from conventional to SIS larviciding. Results The results demonstrate that the SIS approach is significantly more accurate than a conventional approach for mapping potential breeding sites: mean % correct per site: SIS = 60% (95% CI 32–88%, p = 0.02), conventional = 18% (95% CI − 3–39%). Whilst SIS cost more in the start-up phase, overall annualized costs were similar to the conventional approach, with a simulated cost per person protected per year of $3.69 ($0.32 to $15.12) for conventional and $3.94 ($0.342 to $16.27) for SIS larviciding. The main economic benefits were reduced labour costs associated with SIS in the pre-intervention baseline mapping of habitats. There was no difference in malaria case incidence between the three arms. Cost effectiveness analysis showed that SIS is likely to provide similar health benefits at similar costs compared to the conventional arm. Conclusions The use of drones and smartphones provides an improved means of mapping breeding sites for use in operational LSM. Furthermore, deploying this technology does not appear to be more costly than a conventional ground-based approach and, as such, may represent an important tool for Malaria Control Programmes that plan to implement LSM.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost and quality of operational larviciding using drones and smartphone technology

Hardy,

Haji,

Abbas

et al. 2023

Malar J

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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The impact of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Vectobac® WDG) larvicide sprayed with drones on the bio-control of malaria vectors in rice fields of sub-urban Kigali, Rwanda

Munyakanage,

Niyituma,

Mutabazi

et al. 2024

Malar J

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Background The core vector control tools used to reduce malaria prevalence are currently long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), and indoor residual spraying (IRS). These interventions are hindered by insecticide resistance and behavioural adaptation by malaria vectors. Thus, for effective interruption of malaria transmission, there is a need to develop novel vector control interventions and technologies to address the above challenges. Larviciding using drones was experimented as an innovative tool that could complement existing indoor interventions to control malaria. Methods A non-randomized larviciding trial was carried out in irrigated rice fields in sub-urban Kigali, Rwanda. Potential mosquito larval habitats in study sites were mapped and subsequently sprayed using multirotor drones. Application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) (Vectobac® WDG) was followed by entomological surveys that were performed every two weeks over a ten-month period. Sampling of mosquito larvae was done with dippers while adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC miniature light traps (CDC-LT) and pyrethrum spraying collection (PSC) methods. Malaria cases were routinely monitored through community health workers in villages surrounding the study sites. Results The abundance of all-species mosquito larvae, Anopheles larvae and all-species pupae declined by 68.1%, 74.6% and 99.6%, respectively. Larval density was reduced by 93.3% for total larvae, 95.3% for the Anopheles larvae and 61.9% for pupae. The total adult mosquitoes and Anopheles gambiae sensu lato collected using CDC-Light trap declined by 60.6% and 80% respectively. Malaria incidence also declined significantly between intervention and control sites (U = 20, z = − 2.268, p = 0.023). Conclusions The larviciding using drone technology implemented in Rwanda demonstrated a substantial reduction in abundance and density of mosquito larvae and, concomitant decline in adult mosquito populations and malaria incidences in villages contingent to the treatment sites. The scaling up of larval source management (LSM) has to be integrated in malaria programmes in targeted areas of malaria transmission in order to enhance the gains in malaria control.

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Digitally managed larviciding as a cost-effective intervention for urban malaria: operational lessons from a pilot in São Tomé and Príncipe guided by the Zzapp system

Cited by 2 publications

References 21 publications

Cost and quality of operational larviciding using drones and smartphone technology

Cost and quality of operational larviciding using drones and smartphone technology

The impact of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Vectobac® WDG) larvicide sprayed with drones on the bio-control of malaria vectors in rice fields of sub-urban Kigali, Rwanda

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