Eradication of Aedes aegypti from a village in Vietnam, using copepods and community participation.

Abstract

Abstract. In northern Vietnam, copepods of the genus Mesocyclops were used for biological control of Aedes aegypti, the principal vector of dengue viruses, by inoculation into wells, large cement tanks, ceramic jars, and other domestic containers that served as Ae. aegypti breeding sites. The use of Mesocyclops was complemented by community participation with respect to recycling to eliminate unused and discarded containers that collected rainwater and provided Ae. aegypti breeding sites that could not be treated effectively with Mesocyclops. Aedes aegypti disappeared from 400 houses of the treated village in August 1994 and has not reappeared, a result of particular significance, because there are virtually no other recorded instances of eradicating this mosquito anywhere in the world during the past 25 years, and certainly not with community-based approaches. When used in combination with community recycling, Mesocyclops is an easy and inexpensive method of Ae. aegypti control that should be effective for many communities in Vietnam and elsewhere.Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are mosquito-borne viral diseases known to occur in more than 100 countries, placing two-fifths of the world's population at risk.

Biological Control of Mosquito Vectors: Past, Present, and Future

“…Indeed, mosquito young instars are preyed upon by a large number of aquatic organisms including fish [21,27,28,29], amphibians [30,31], copepods [32,33], odonate young instars [34], water bugs [35,36,37,38], and even larvae of other mosquito species [39,40]. Biological control of mosquitoes using vertebrates has mostly focused on the role of larvivorous fish that consume the aquatic larval stage of mosquitoes [26].…”

Risk Factors for the Presence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Domestic Water-Holding Containers in Areas Impacted by the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project, Laos

“…Regular community cleanup campaigns have been suggested as a way forward, although there is still a lack of robust scientific evidence in support of successful, sustainable community-based control. 37 In Vietnam, use of up to six locally occurring species of Mesocyclops to control Aedes container breeding has been highly successful in field trials, [38][39][40][41][42] and this approach could be used in Laos to control breeding in large containers such as drums and rainwater collection tanks, which are permanently wet. Other studies have demonstrated some success using insecticide-treated curtains, bed nets, and water container covers for dengue control.…”

Can Daytime Use of Bed Nets Not Treated with Insecticide Reduce the Risk of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Among Children in Vietnam?

“…5 The breeding sites of dengue vector mosquitoes (i.e., Aedes aegypti ) are located in and around households and may include indoor water jars, basins, and vases. [6][7][8][9] Because such containers are often indispensable, it is difficult to limit their use. 9 As a result, household residents are highly susceptible to Ae.…”