Can Lure And Kill Strategies Prevent Dengue Transmission In North Queensland, Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,621.00
Summary
Dengue fever is a growing threat to human health in the tropics. In north Queensland, 11 dengue outbreaks have resulted in 985 confirmed cases since 2000. Furthermore, 2004 saw the emergence of severe disease, with 4 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever resulting in at least one death in the Torres Strait. The current dengue managment plan employs methods to control larvae and adults of the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Adult control consists of spraying dark, protected areas inside houses and b ....Dengue fever is a growing threat to human health in the tropics. In north Queensland, 11 dengue outbreaks have resulted in 985 confirmed cases since 2000. Furthermore, 2004 saw the emergence of severe disease, with 4 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever resulting in at least one death in the Torres Strait. The current dengue managment plan employs methods to control larvae and adults of the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Adult control consists of spraying dark, protected areas inside houses and buildings with a residual pyrethroid insectcide. However, this method is laborious and exposes residents and the environment to pesticide. Our research team, funded by NHMRC project grant no. 279401, has developed lure and kill methods to kill Ae. aegypti mosquitoes using traps. These traps are baited with chemicals that attract female dengue mosquitoes trying to bite (host-seeking traps; HSTs) or trying to lay eggs (lethal ovitraps; LOs). The use of traps to kill specific target insects is termed lure and kill strategy. This strategy reduces the amount of pesticide used by 1000X, and are twice as fast to employ than house spraying. We are seeking funding to conduct a series of field trials to provide proof of concept that the lure and kill strategy will rapidly reduce populations of Ae. aegypti and thus stop dengue transmission. These trials will be conducted in the Cairns area. We will also trial a biodegradable lethal ovitrap that could be put into yards without having to return to retrieve the trap. The trap would simply biodegrade after 4 weeks, and thus pose no threat to become a mosquito breeding site once the pesticide had become ineffective. A biodegradable trap would be especially useful in the Torres Strait where return visits are costly and time consuming. Finally, we propose to trial a new paper strip device that emits vapors of the pyrethriod insecticide metofluthrin, shown to repel mosquitoes for weeks, to set in dengue case houses.Read moreRead less
Optimisation Of Wolbachia Based Control Strategies To Reduce Dengue Incidence And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,073,640.00
Summary
The project will build on recent advances in the use of Wolbachia infected mosquitoes to limit dengue transmission. Key outcomes will include improved understanding of Wolbachia spread after release, development of techniques for regional spread, understanding the epidemiology of dengue transmission in Vietnam and preparing a panel of new Wolbachia:A. aegypti strain combinations for evaluation for implementation programs.
New Vectors, New Diseases: Understanding The Risk Of Chikungunya Transmission In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,580.00
Summary
Chikungunya is a febrile illness that can lead to chronic, debilitating joint pain in adults and severe neurological complications in children. Introductions of this virus into Australia have steadily increased in recent years. We will estimate the risk of chikungunya transmission in Australia now and into the future, and deliver the results to public health authorities to reduce the risk of outbreaks in Australia.
NHMRC Asia Pacific Centre For Innovative Dengue Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,753,925.00
Summary
World Health Organization estimates dengue incidence at around 50 million cases annually with increased frequency & severity of outbreaks in north Queensland over the last decade being mirrored around the world. The NHMRC Asia Pacific Centre for Innovative Dengue Prevention will be a world leading research facility, co-supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges in Global Health, focussed on the discovery and implementation of innovative methods to eliminate dengue.
Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are viral diseases transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Our research uses a naturally-occurring bacteria, Wolbachia, to stop mosquitoes transmitting these viruses to humans. Our proposal addresses critical knowledge gaps in the biology of mosquitoes and Wolbachia to enable large-scale field-deployment optimisation in affected countries. The outcome of our research will immediately translate to disease control efforts in northern Australia, Asia and Latin America.