Eco-bio-social research on community-based approaches for Chagas disease vector control in Latin America

Abstract

This article provides an overview of three research projects which designed and implemented innovative interventions for Chagas disease vector control in Bolivia, Guatemala and Mexico. The research initiative was based on sound principles of community-based ecosystem management (ecohealth), integrated vector management, and interdisciplinary analysis. The initial situational analysis achieved a better understanding of ecological, biological and social determinants of domestic infestation. The key factors identified included: housing quality; type of peridomestic habitats; presence and abundance of domestic dogs, chickens and synanthropic rodents; proximity to public lights; location in the periphery of the village. In Bolivia, plastering of mud walls with appropriate local materials and regular cleaning of beds and of clothes next to the walls, substantially decreased domestic infestation and abundance of the insect vector Triatoma infestans. The Guatemalan project revealed close links between house infestation by rodents and Triatoma dimidiata, and vector infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. A novel community-operated rodent control program significantly reduced rodent infestation and bug infection. In Mexico, large-scale implementation of window screens translated into promising reductions in domestic infestation. A multi-pronged approach including community mobilisation and empowerment, intersectoral cooperation and adhesion to integrated vector management principles may be the key to sustainable vector and disease control in the affected regions.

Insecticide resistance in vector Chagas disease: Evolution, mechanisms and management

“…integrated pest management or IPM), and respecting the variety of cultural practices developed throughout the Americas, are non-renounceable practices necessary for a sustainable vector control strategy (Cecere et al, 2002;Zeledón et al, 2008;Gurevitz et al, 2011;Gorla et al, 2013;Bustamante et al, 2014;Gürtler and Yadon, 2015). The tremendous positive impact that this environmental improvement would have on the health of rural human populations imposes the need to always emphasize their priority.…”

Landscape ecology of Trypanosoma cruzi in the southern Yucatan Peninsula

“…changes in land cover and resource availability), through secondary or alternative hosts, pathogen amplification or selection, and differential dispersal by resilient hosts (Turney et al, 2014). These ecological processes are not, however, the only factors provoking an increase in disease risk, since vulnerability due to sociocultural practices affect the human population in all fragments where they interact (Gurtler and Yadon, 2015;Valdez-Tah et al in press).…”

Hierarchical spatial modeling of the presence of Chagas disease insect vectors in Argentina. A comparative approach

“…Ignoring the climate change scenario, Schofield et al (2006) [41] predicted that T. infestans will spread to almost all the Argentinean territory, spreading the incidence of Chagas disease to new areas in the southern part of America. Gurtler and Yadon (2015, [21]) highlight the importance of controling the presence of insect vectors in domestic environments, but also highlight the importance of ecological factors on the dispersion of the disease. Thus, policies for vector control should be planned to face this future scenario.…”