Ecohealth interventions limit triatomine reinfestation following insecticide spraying in La Brea, Guatemala

Lucero, David E.; Morrissey, Leslie A.; Rizzo, Donna M.; Rodas, Antonieta; Garnica, Roberto

Ecohealth interventions limit triatomine reinfestation following insecticide spraying in La Brea, Guatemala

Date

2013-02

Authors

Publisher

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate the effect of participatory Ecohealth interventions on domestic reinfestation of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma dimidiata after village-wide suppression of the vector population using a residual insecticide. The study was conducted in the rural community of La Brea, Guatemala between 2002 and 2009 where vector infestation was analyzed within a spatial data framework based on entomological and socio-economic surveys of homesteads within the village. Participatory interventions focused on community awareness and low-cost home improvements using local materials to limit areas of refuge and alternative blood meals for the vector within the home, and potential shelter for the vector outside the home. As a result, domestic infestation was maintained at ≤ 3% and peridomestic infestation at ≤ 2% for 5 years beyond the last insecticide spraying, in sharp contrast to the rapid reinfestation experienced in earlier insecticide only interventions.

Keywords

GUATEMALA, CHAGAS DISEASE, TRIATOMA DIMIDIATA, ECOHEALTH, SPRAYING, REINFESTATION, PARTICIPATORY INTERVENTIONS

Citation

Lucero, D.E., Morrissey, L.A., Rizzo, D.M., Rodas, A., Garnica, R., Stevens, L., Bustamante, D.M., & Monroy, M.C. (2013). Ecohealth Interventions Limit Triatomine Reinfestation following Insecticide Spraying in La Brea, Guatemala. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 88(4), 630-637. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.12-0448