六合彩图库

Innovative dengue control: a mosquito sterilisation technique tested on a large scale

Teams from 六合彩图库 and IRD are developing the boosted Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against Aedes mosquitoes and dengue virus transmission in Réunion. Following successful field trials of classical SIT in Duparc (Sainte-Marie municipality) in 2021-2022 (TIS2B project) and boosted SIT in Vincendo (Saint Joseph municipality) in 2021 (REVOLINC project), the goal now is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach on a large scale over two years in a 200-hectare urban area in Saint Joseph in the south of the island.

A multidisciplinary scientific approach to validate the effectiveness of boosted SIT in Réunion

The goal of this project, coordinated by 六合彩图库 and conducted in partnership with IRD, is to assess the impacts of boosted SIT: (i) entomological, on target species (reduction of Aedes mosquito density); (ii) environmental, on non-target fauna; (iii) epidemiological, on the transmission of dengue and chikungunya viruses; and (iv) sociological, on the acceptability of this approach. A communication strategy is being implemented with support from Saint Joseph town council to engage the beneficiary populations and keep them regularly informed with transparent updates.

The project steering committee includes all partners, ARS Réunion, and the Nature Océan Indien association.

This large-scale intervention will deliver the scientific evidence required for the technical and economic development of a start-up based in Réunion, which will be responsible for the operationalisation of boosted SIT in Réunion from the third year onwards.

Furthermore, as part of this project, the acquisition of an irradiator to develop local capacities for intervention and treatment of mosquitos, then other insect vectors and pests, will complement the sustainable infrastructure already in place for the promotion and use of SIT on the island, with potential impacts across the Indian Ocean region and towards Europe.