Autor(es): Garelli, Fernando M.; Espinosa, Manuel O.; Weinberg, Diego; Trinelli, Maria A.; Gürtler, Ricardo E.

Resumo: Dengue is currently the most important viral disease of humans transmitted by arthropods worldwide. Aedes aegypti, a human-biting mosquito dwelling in artificial domestic containers, is the main vector of dengue. Ae. aegypti larval control programs are frequently based on the application of the insecticide temephos. A five-year larval control program in northeastern Argentina significantly reduced infestations but could not maintain them below target levels, especially during summer. Identifying the underlying processes responsible for such shortcomings is important for improving dengue prevention strategies. Large water-holding containers were the most productive container type and the main targets for control. We found that the duration of temephos residual effects in household-owned large tanks was much shorter than expected and allowed early reinfestation post-treatment. The main factor limiting temephos residuality was fast water turnover, caused by householders' practice of refilling tanks overnight to counteract the intermittence of the local water supply.

Palavras-Chave: Human diseases; Insecticides; Viral diseases; Pest control; Hosts; Aquatic insects; Water supply; Disease transmission; Public health; Water use; Infestation; Dengue; Control programs; Residual effects; Vectors; Water supplies; Aedes aegypti; Arthropoda

Imprenta: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 5, n. 3, 2011.

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Transmission ; Aedes aegypti - Dengue ; Aedes aegypti - Public health

Data de publicação: 2011

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