Intensified surveillance and insecticide-based control of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in the Argentinean Chaco

Abstract

Research results showed that current vector control procedures have limited effectiveness in the Gran Chaco. Selective insecticide sprays must include all sites within the infested house compound. The suppression of T. infestans in rural areas with moderate pyrethroid resistance requires increased efforts. In addition to systematic insecticide applications, housing and development policies that reduce habitat suitability for bugs will contribute substantially to sustainable vector and disease control. Pre-spraying bug abundance, and other characteristics of infested sites (domiciles, kitchens or storerooms, fowl coops and ‘nideros’ –an elevated shelf where poultry nest) before interventions, were reliable predictors of post-spraying site infestation.

Description

Keywords

CHAGAS DISEASE, VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES, BRAZIL, ARGENTINA, VECTOR CONTROL, DISEASE CONTROL, INSECTICIDES, TRIATOMA INFESTANS, PESTICIDES, SOUTH AMERICA, HOUSING CONDITIONS, POULTRY

Citation

Gurevitz, J.M., Gaspe, M.S., Enriquez, G.F., Provecho, Y.M., Kitron, U., & Gürtler, R.E. (2013). Intensified Surveillance and Insecticide-based Control of the Chagas Disease Vector Triatoma infestans in the Argentinean Chaco. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 7(4), e2158.doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002158

DOI