Chapter 8 Development of Space Repellents for Vector Control

摘要

Arthropod-borne diseases impact large portions of the developing world and impart substantial economic and health burdens in these regions. Despite the burden these afflictions have on local populations, our tools for controlling the vectors responsible for pathogen transmission are limited. One critical component of any vector-borne disease management strategy is the use of chemicals in either indoor residual sprays, on bed nets or as topically applied repellents. The chemicals that are currently recommended for use, however, are quickly becoming inadequate to sustain disease control due in part to insecticide resistance. Evaluation of how mosquitoes respond to insecticides is an expanding field of study and the knowledge gained from these endeavors is paramount to advancing the development of new classes of chemistry to expand our current arsenal of effective compounds. One area of particular interest is the exploitation of behavior-modifying actions of chemicals in order to create vector free spaces and thereby reduce human-vector contact. Such chemicals could be used in various delivery platforms and in combination with other vector control interventions to enhance the effectiveness, affordability and sustainability of public health tools.