UGANDA—The Ministry of Health in Uganda has initiated the use of powdered larvicide to combat malaria in the Ankole sub-region.
This innovative larvicide can effectively control mosquitoes both indoors and outdoors by targeting and exterminating their larvae.
According to a comprehensive study conducted by Trudel and Bomblies, titled “Larvicidal effects of Chinaberry (Melia azederach) powder on Anopheles arabiensis in Ethiopia,” the utilization of synthetic insecticides has been dwindling in popularity due to the emergence of resistance.
The study underscores the efficacy of plant extracts, specifically Chinaberry (Melia azederach) extracts, as potent growth-inhibiting larvicides against various insects.
This is attributed to the presence of multiple active chemicals within the seeds of these trees, which possess insecticidal properties. The emergence of resistance against these natural extracts is considered improbable.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda stands as the third most affected country in terms of the malaria burden, with a staggering annual report of over 12 million cases and a disheartening statistic of three out of every 10 Ugandans suffering from this disease.
At the launch of the new initiative in Mitooma District, Dr. Alfred Mubangizi, the Programme Officer for Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Ministry of Public Health, represented the Ministry of Health and its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine.
Notable attendees included Mr. Vincent Katamba, a senior entomologist at the Ministry, and Dr. Sadic Byamugisha, the district health officer.
Dr. Atwine, whose address was conveyed by Dr. Mubangizi, emphasized that the new treatment comprises herbal larvicide, intended for application to mosquito breeding sites like swamps and stagnant water to eradicate mosquito larvae.
She underscored that this approach solely targets mosquito larvae, posing no threat to humans or aquatic animals, and the Ministry remains committed to delivering larvicide to high malaria prevalence areas.
Dr. Mubangizi expressed confidence in the newly adopted strategy, stating that its implementation would lead to a gradual reduction in malaria transmission. This complements other interventions, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying.
He also elaborated that the powdered larvicide is derived from plant chlorophyll and is meticulously applied to mosquito breeding sites, effectively eliminating the larvae before they mature into adult mosquitoes.
He further elucidated the mosquito life cycle, emphasizing that the larval stage is when they are most vulnerable. The application of this larvicide in the breeding sites acts as a lethal deterrent, leading to the eventual demise of the larvae.
“The mosquito has four stages; eggs, larvae, pupa and adult but at the larvae stage is when they are eating too much, when this powder is put in water in the breeding sites, they feed in it and eventually die,” he explained.
Dr. Mubangizi affirmed that this program had already been initiated in the Kigezi and Lango sub-regions and that the new larvicide had received official safety approvals from both the National Environment Authority and the National Drug Authority.
Mr. Katamba indicated that, following the launch, collaborative efforts will be made with village leaders and local health committees to identify breeding sites, with a focus on fixed, findable, and few (3Fs) locations, excluding residences.
Communities will take part in locating and eradicating larvae themselves, with six milligrams of larvicide applied to every square meter of the breeding site.
Dr. Byamugisha, in his assessment, expressed optimism regarding the potential of this new tool to reduce the malaria burden, particularly in areas surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Notably, Mitooma District exhibits a prevalence rate of 43%, a figure that significantly increases in proximity to the park.
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