Lethal mosquito breeding container (WRAIR 97-17A)

posted on 06/13/2011

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Lethal, simple, cost-effective breeding container for Adese mosquito control

An environmentally sound, simple, cost-effective method for controlling the population of Aedes species of mosquitos who are responsible for transmitting dengue fever

Dengue infection is a leading cause of illness & death in the tropics & subtropics. It is caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.5 billion people are now at risk from dengue.  They estimate there are 20 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti & A. albopictus mosquitos.  The disease is now widespread in more than 100 countries. The most effective protective measure to prevent infection to date is to avoid mosquito bites as no vaccine is available.Thanks to the researchers at US Army Medical Research & Materiel Command, they have developed & patented a breeding container which is lethal to container-breeding mosquitoes which consists of a container filled with water & insecticide. The container & insecticide can be safely used in close proximity to human populations, including children, because the volume of insecticide needed is very small.  The breeder works because it attracts the female Adese species & is lethal to them & the larvae that hatch from the eggs they lay in the container.  This significant because the population of biting mosquitoes is substantially reduced, thus reducing both the potential for disease transmission & the breeding stock for the next generation. This approach is superior to simply trapping & removing eggs laid by female container breeding mosquitoes, which may then go on to lay additional eggs in a natural site which allows complete development of the larvae to adults.In caged lab tests, up to 100% adult mosquito mortality has been demonstrated. Outdoor containers demonstrated an average mortality rate of 95% one month after first use in the field.This is an environmentally sound, simple, cost-effective method for controlling the population of Aedes species of mosquitos who are responsible for transmitting dengue fever. This technology will save millions of lives.