Management of insecticides for use in disease vector control: Lessons from six countries in Asia and the Middle East

Abstract

Interventions to control the vectors of human diseases, notably malaria, leishmaniasis and dengue, have relied mainly on the action of chemical insecticides. However, concerns have been raised regarding the management of insecticides in vector-borne disease-endemic countries. Our study aimed to analyze how vector control insecticides are managed in selected countries to extract lessons learned. A qualitative analysis of the situation of vector control insecticides management was conducted in six countries. Multi-stakeholder meetings and key informer interviews were conducted on aspects covering the pesticide lifecycle. Findings were compared and synthesized to extract lessons learned. Centrally executed guidelines and standards on the management of insecticides offered direction and control in most malaria programs, but were largely lacking from decentralized dengue programs, where practices of procurement, application, safety, storage, and disposal were variable between districts. Decentralized programs were better at facilitating participation of stakeholders and local communities and securing financing from local budgets. However, little coordination existed between malaria, visceral leishmaniasis and dengue programs within countries. Entomological capacity was concentrated in malaria programs at central level, while dengue and visceral leishmaniasis programs were missing out on expertise. Monitoring systems for insecticide resistance in malaria vectors were rarely used for dengue or visceral leishmaniasis vectors. Strategies for insecticide resistance management, where present, did not extend across programs or sectors in most countries. Dengue programs in most countries continued to rely on space spraying which, considering the realities on the ground, call for revision of international guidelines. Vector control programs in the selected countries were confronted with critical shortcomings in the procurement, application, safety measures, storage, and disposal of vector control insecticides, with implications for the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of vector control. Further international support is needed to assist countries in situation analysis, action planning and development of national guidelines on vector control insecticide management.

Recent trends in global insecticide use for disease vector control and potential implications for resistance management

“…Malaria programs have benefited from the Global Plan for Insecticide Resistance Management through the development and implementation of national plans 32 , 44 . However, our data suggest that insecticide resistance management was weakest for control of dengue, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, despite evidence of resistance in vector populations, whilst entomological expertise has commonly been concentrated within malaria programs 46 . Hence, the Plan should include other vector-borne diseases 44 , 47 , with monitoring procedures adapted to those vectors 48 , and coordination between vector control programs on insecticide procurement, planning, implementation, and resistance monitoring.…”

A barcoding pipeline for mosquito surveillance in Nepal, a biodiverse dengue-endemic country

“…However, with the present resources, especially in light of the additional burden of the ongoing pandemic, it remains a challenge to adequately tackle rapidly expanding VBDs such as dengue [ 63 ]. In addition, entomological expertise, which is urgently needed for vector control programs, is lacking in Nepal [ 64 ]. These challenges are augmented by Nepal’s topography, with remote and poorly accessible regions [ 39 ].…”

Extending the lore of curcumin as dipteran Butyrylcholine esterase (BChE) inhibitor: A holistic molecular interplay assessment

“…Novel vector control strategy also employs the use of genetically modified Wolbachia as a measure to reduce incidences of VBD’s [ 9 ]. Contemplating all possible strategies, the use of chemical insecticides has been the most common method due to easy procurement, stock management and dispersion at civic breeding sites [ 10 ]. Amongst many, one of the reasons why the use of insecticide is frequent, is because they specifically interact and inhibit selective protein of the insect system.…”