Vector Control Advisory Group
Independent evaluation of the public health value of innovative new tools, technologies and approaches for vector control is needed to enable WHO to provide evidence-based advice to Member States on whether their deployment is justified. This is essential to ensure that scarce resources available for disease control are used to maximum impact. In order to assist WHO in developing public health policy on new tools, the Vector Control Advisory Group (VCAG) assesses the public health value of new interventions and provides guidance on developing the evidence base required to inform such assessments.
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Systemic insecticides and endectocides

There are 2 interventions in this category.

1 Systemic livestock treatment for vector control

How the intervention works: An example of an intervention planned for evaluation under this intervention class is a cattle treatment product (fipronil bolus) that releases a systemic insecticide which kills sandflies that feed on livestock. This approach uses a systemic insecticide, a drug which is absorbed into the blood and fat of an animal and kills insects (e.g. sandflies, ticks, tsetse flies) that feed on its blood.

Disease(s) that may be reduced in prevalence or prevented: Visceral leishmaniasis

Population(s) intended to be protected: The aim of this approach is to control populations of sandflies, which are vectors of visceral leishmaniasis, and thereby reduce the incidence of the disease in humans. The approach is targeted at people who live and work in close proximity to livestock.

Status of review: VCAG reviewed an epidemiological trial protocol in 2017.

2 Endectocides1

How the intervention works: An example of a product being evaluated under this intervention class is Ivermectin. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug used to kill helminths (parasitic worms), has also been shown to kill Anopheline mosquitoes. The target of the approach is for the drug to kill mosquitoes that feed on ivermectin-treated individuals or livestock (cattle and pigs), thereby limiting transmission of malaria.

Disease(s) that may be reduced in prevalence or prevented: Malaria

Population(s) intended to be protected: The aim of the approach is to reduce transmission of malaria by killing biting mosquitoes. The approach is designed to complement other malaria-prevention tools such as ITNs, indoor residual spraying and case management.

Status of review: A project has been designed to evaluate the effect of mass distribution of ivermectin in Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania during the malaria season and its impact on human and animal health, mosquitoes, the local economy and the environment. The project is also designed to evaluate community acceptance of the approach. VCAG reviewed a description of and justification for an epidemiological study in May 2019 and will review the protocol in November 2019 and again, in an off-cycle review, in early 2020.

 

Note:

1. Endectocides are antiparasitic drugs active against parasites that live both inside and outside the host.

Last update: 18 June 2020