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Trypanosomiasis vector control in Africa and Latin America

25 Sep 2008

Paul Chinnock

Source: Parasites & Vectors (see original article)

Citation: Schofield CJ, Kabayo JP (2008). Trypanosomiasis vector control in Africa and Latin America. Parasit Vectors; 1(1):24.

2008 Schofield and Kabayo; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The human trypanosomiases – Chagas’ disease in Latin America and sleeping sickness in Africa – both have insect vectors. Africa’s tsetse flies (Glossinidae) and Latin American kissing-bugs (Triatominae) are very different insects but they share demographic characteristics that render them highly vulnerable to available control methods. A review article in Parasites &Vectors presents the underlying rationale, operational background and progress of the various trypanosomiasis vector control initiatives active in both continents.

In Latin America, Chagas’ disease control programmes have focused primarily on elimination of domestic vector populations by indoor insecticide spraying, although the strategy is now changing to give additional emphasis to detection and treatment of new cases that may occur as a result of adventitious silvatic Triatominae entering houses. In Africa, sleeping sickness control relies primarily on case detection and treatment, although it is increasingly recognised that operational advances will more likely be sustained where vector control is also carried out effectively. But for African animal trypanosomiasis – which also contribute to poverty, underdevelopment, and food insecurity – tsetse elimination is now seen as the primary approach for the long-term.

The authors say that the vectors of both African and American trypanosomiasis are ‘exquisitely vulnerable’ to currently available control techniques. As they point out, ‘This cannot be said of many other vectors, and should be a key factor heralding the long hoped for success.’

The review notes the importance of sustained political commitment. The main operational problems relate to re-invasion of treated area. The authors say the solution seems to be in very large-scale interventions covering biologically-relevant areas, rather than adhering to administrative boundaries. In their view, both Chagas’ disease and sleeping sickness can be eliminated as major public health problems within the next decade or so.