Spatial repellents: from discovery and development to evidence-based validation

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Achee Nicole L, Bangs Michael J, Farlow Robert, Killeen Gerry F, Lindsay Steve, Logan James G, Moore Sarah J, Rowland Mark, Sweeney Kevin, Torr Steve J, Zwiebel Laurence J, Grieco John P
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012
• Subjects: Public health; Spatial repellents; Vector control; Vector behaviour modification; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-164; https://doaj.org/article/0f6187cb5fad4c6d8cbe6cc81188d5ba

Abstract International public health workers are challenged by a burden of arthropod-borne disease that remains elevated despite best efforts in control programmes. With this challenge comes the opportunity to develop novel vector control paradigms to guide product development and programme implementation. The role of vector behaviour modification in disease control was first highlighted several decades ago but has received limited attention within the public health community. This paper presents current evidence highlighting the value of sub-lethal agents, specifically spatial repellents, and their use in global health, and identifies the primary challenges towards establishing a clearly defined and recommended role for spatial repellent products in disease control.