Vector control

Vector control is any method to limit or eradicate the vectors of vector born diseases, for which the pathogen (e.g. virus or parasite) is transmitted by a vector which can be mammals, birds or arthropods, especially insects, and more specifically mosquitoes.

The most frequent type of vector control is mosquito control, which uses a variety of strategies, three of which are :

1) Habitat control : stagnant water is avoided, by removal of old tires, empty cans etc., and better management of used water.

2) Insecticides, spread over mosquito breeding zones

3) Introduction of sterilised male mosquitoes, in order to reduce the vector breeding rate

The first method is to be recommended whenever possible for its cost-effectiveness.