Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part B (2019)

Author(s): Amos Watentena and Chris Ikem Okoye

Abstract: The expansion of vector borne diseases is occurring at a time when unprecedented discoveries are being made in vector biology specifically in areas of genetics, genomics, and physiology. Among the many new discoveries in mosquito physiology is the use of chemo-attracts for mosquito surveillance and mass trapping; which are increasingly being used despite the fact that they’re still limited to small scale field and semi-field trials in most parts of the world. Once malaria vector surveillance is fully achieved, it is our hope that it will boost the preparedness of health systems using data derived from assessment of the introduction, establishment and spread of the vectors. However, this comes at a time when parts of Africa and Asia are battling with the resource capacity inadequacy in terms of medical entomologists. This paper therefore presents the use of mosquito lures as an example of the many new interventions that researchers are exploring to address one of the important global health challenges, of eliminating malaria by 2030. It’s at a glance when the insecticidal based methods are increasingly becoming insufficient to control the spread of malaria and other vector borne diseases especially in the endemic countries of sub-Sahara Africa.