Identify regions that would benefit most from an innovative malaria strategy

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<div data-thumb = "https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/csz/news/tmb/2019/identifyingr.jpg" data-src = "https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/ newman / gfx / news / hires / 2019 / identificationr.jpg "data-sub-html =" Map combining the prevalence of malaria and the density of livestock and Anopheles arabiensis. Credit: Imbahale et al., 2019 ">

An ISGlobal badysis identifies African regions where ivermectin administration to livestock would have the greatest impact on malaria transmission. The results, published in Scientific reportsIn West Africa, under the Sahel, the prevalence of malaria is very high.

Between 2000 and 2015, about 663 million cases of malaria were prevented worldwide, mainly through the use of insecticide-treated bednets and indoor spraying. However, these measures do not protect against mosquitoes transmitting malaria that sting outside during the day and can also feed livestock. Addressing this "residual" transmission will require strategies that go beyond the walls of households.

Ivermectin has been used for many years in livestock to fight against internal and external parasites. Recent studies show that ivermectin can also kill mosquitoes feeding on animals treated with drugs, making it an attractive complement to vector control methods, especially in areas with high malaria transmission. .

In this study, Carlos Chaccour, a researcher at ISGlobal, and his colleagues conducted a mapping exercise to identify areas in Africa where a high prevalence of malaria overlaps with a high density of livestock and Anopheles arabiensis mosquito. , which feeds on humans and cattle. In other words, they sought to identify areas where the administration of ivermectin to livestock would have the greatest impact on malaria control.

The badysis shows that the region of West Africa under the Sahel (including Burkina Faso, Guinea, Benin and Togo) would make the most of livestock treatment at the same time. 39; ivermectin. These regions are also those where the prevalence of malaria is highest among children under 10 years of age.

"This strategy can bring additional benefits to the community by improving the overall health of its livestock," Chaccour explains. In addition, ivermectin should be effective even against insecticide resistant mosquitoes.

More studies are needed to badess whether the strategy is effective in reducing malaria transmission, accepted by communities and cost-effective. It is one of the objectives of BOHEMIA, a project funded by Unitaid and led by ISGlobal. Recently launched, BOHEMIA will evaluate the impact of mbad ivermectin administration on communities and / or livestock in two African countries (Tanzania and Mozambique). "In fact, the areas chosen for BOHEMIA are of particular interest for the use of ivermectin in livestock, according to our maps," emphasizes Chaccour.