Malaria control utilizing Bacillus sphaericus against Anopheles stephensi in Panaji, Goa.

Abstract

In a large malaria endemic area in Panaji city, Goa, India, the weekly application of the biolarvicide Bacillus sphaericus (Strain 101, Serotype H 5a 5b) at the rate of 1 g/m2 in the main Anopheles stephensi larval habitats, viz., curing waters, masonry tanks, and sump tanks (under construction), from April to December 1993 resulted in a sharp decline in the habitat positivity (range 0.13-8.0%) as compared with the rest of the Panaji (range 2.2-30.6%) where temephos (Abate) was used as the larvicide. Bacillus sphaericus spraying also led to a significant decline in anopheline densities in positive habitats (range 0-7.3/10 dips) as compared with control habitats (range 0.9-53.0/10 dips). Concurrently, malaria incidence observed in the experimental area (slide positivity rate [SPR] range 2.3-7.8%; monthly parasite index [MPI] range 0.18-1.44) was lower than in the control area (SPR range 14.3-25.5%; MPI range 1.75-6.12).

• Authors: A Kumar, V P Sharma, P K Sumodan, D Thavaselvam, R H Kamat
• Journal: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association (J Am Mosq Control Assoc) Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 534-9 (Dec 1994) ISSN: 8756-971X [Print] United States
• PMID: 7707060 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Anopheles
• Bacillus
• Culex
• Ecology
• Humans
• Incidence
• India (epidemiology)
• Insect Vectors
• Larva
• Malaria (epidemiology, prevention & control, transmission)
• Particle Size
• Pest Control, Biological
• Population Density
• Seasons