Long, Sharron (2013) The biodegradable lethal ovitrap as a control method for dengue in Cairns, North Queensland with a focus on post four week deployment. Masters (Research) thesis, James Cook University.

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Abstract

Dengue is a mosquito-borne flavivirus and is the leading arboviral cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. The World Health Organization estimates there are ca. 50 million dengue cases yearly, with 2 billion people at risk of contracting dengue. In Australia, 27 outbreaks of dengue have occurred in North Queensland since 2000, resulting in over 2,500 notifiable cases, including two deaths in 2004 and another dengue related death in 2009. The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) transmits dengue in Australia.

In Australia current dengue control consists of a combination of source reduction and deployment of Lethal Ovitraps (LO). With increasing numbers and spread of dengue cases a fast, cost-effective control tool was required. This need lead to the development of the Biodegradable Lethal Ovitrap (BLO), an ovitrap made from a starch-based plastic which could be set in the field and allowed to biodegrade over time. If the BLO was to be a true "set and forget" tool against Ae.aegypti (and dengue) it was important to determine what happened to the BLO after the standard four week control period. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of the BLO as a dengue control tool post four weeks deployment. This research also aimed to investigate what impact, if any, the BLO might have on the non-target fauna in the immediate area around where the ovitrap was set. It was also hoped that the research could also determine public acceptability of the BLO as a personal protective tool against mosquito borne diseases.

Our results suggest that the BLO is still an effective control tool against Ae.aegypti twenty-two weeks post deployment. The ability of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) to breed in the BLOs post nine weeks deployment was an important discovery, especially if the BLOs are to be deployed in countries where Cx.quinquefasciatus act as disease vectors. The research did raise the question of chemical resistance becoming an issue with the BLOs in the field for such extended periods of time.

The research also found little impact on non-target fauna populations when compared against other non-target studies. Our results suggest that numerous (<90) insect Families are attracted to the BLOs with limited impact on their numbers. Further studies on specific non-targets could be of interest, especially to a broader international audience. Due to the limited number of participants in our BLO public acceptability research, our results were inconclusive, but suggested a limited acceptability. Further research into the acceptability and understanding of mosquito control tools such as the BLOs would be beneficial to mosquito control activities in the future.

Item ID:	31455
Item Type:	Thesis (Masters (Research))
Keywords:	dengue; Aedes aegypti; dengue control; mosquito control tools
Date Deposited:	06 May 2014 23:33
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920404 Disease Distribution and Transmission (incl. Surveillance and Response) @ 100%
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