Progress towards understanding the ecology and epidemiology of malaria in the Western Kenya Highlands : opportunities and challenges for control under climate change risk

dc.contributor.authorGithekoa, A.K.
dc.contributor.authorOtotoa, E.N.
dc.contributor.authorGuiyunb, Yan
dc.date.accessioned2011-11-04T13:10:08Z
dc.date.available2011-11-04T13:10:08Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractFollowing severe malaria epidemics in the western Kenya highlands after the late 1980s it became imperative to undertake eco-epidemiological assessments of the disease and determine its drivers, spatial–temporal distribution and control strategies. Extensive research has indicated that the major biophysical drivers of the disease are climate change and variability, terrain, topography, hydrology and immunity. Vector distribution is focalized at valley bottoms and abundance is closely related with drainage efficiency, habitat availability, stability and productivity of the ecosystems. Early epidemic prediction models have been developed and they can be used to assess climate risks that warrant extra interventions with a lead time of 2–4 months. Targeted integrated vector management strategies can significantly reduce the cost on the indoor residual spraying by targeting the foci of transmission in transmission hotspots. Malaria control in the highlands has reduced vector population by 90%, infections by 50–90% in humans and in some cases transmission has been interrupted. Insecticide resistance is increasing and as transmission decreases so will immunity. Active surveillance will be required to monitor and contain emerging threats. More studies on eco-stratification of the disease, based on its major drivers, are required so that interventions are tailored for specific ecosystems. New and innovative control interventions such as house modification with a one-application strategy may reduce the threat from insecticide resistance and low compliance associated with the use of ITNs.en
dc.formatTexten
dc.format.extent1 digital file (7 p.)en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.issn0001-706X
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/47440
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevieren
dc.relation.ispartofActa tropica, 2011es
dc.subjectMALARIAen
dc.subjectHIGHLANDSen
dc.subjectKENYAen
dc.subjectECOLOGYen
dc.subjectEPIDEMIOLOGYen
dc.subjectVECTOR CONTROLen
dc.subjectCLIMATE CHANGEen
dc.subjectECOSYSTEMSen
dc.titleProgress towards understanding the ecology and epidemiology of malaria in the Western Kenya Highlands : opportunities and challenges for control under climate change risken
dc.typeJournal Article (peer-reviewed)en
idrc.dspace.accessIDRC Onlyen
idrc.noaccessDue to copyright restrictions the full text of this research output is not available in the IDRC Digital Library or by request from the IDRC Library. / Compte tenu des restrictions relatives au droit d'auteur, le texte intégral de cet extrant de recherche n'est pas accessible dans la Bibliothèque numérique du CRDI, et il n'est pas possible d'en faire la demande à la Bibliothéque du CRDI.en
idrc.project.componentnumber104024007
idrc.project.number104024
idrc.project.titleResearch Matters in Governance, Equity and Health - Phase IIen
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

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