Expert comment on study looking at incomplete personal protection coverage in vector-borne disease
26 February 2016 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine https://lshtm.ac.uk/themes/custom/lshtm/images/lshtm-logo-black.pngThe use of personal protection methods against disease vectors in some people and not others could in fact increase the burden of disease in the population, according to new research published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.
The study by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel used disease modelling to suggest that partial coverage rate against vector-borne diseases, using personal protection (PP) techniques such as insecticide-treated nets, repellents and medication, could lead to an overall increase in disease due to an increase in biting intensity in people that are unprotected.
Commenting on the study, Dr James Logan, Senior Lecturer in Medical Entomology and Director of arctec at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "We have known for some time that mosquitoes may be diverted away from people who are wearing repellents to those who are not. However, they are an important method of protecting an individual against mosquito bites and should be used by travellers to disease endemic counties. Some studies have demonstrated that repellents can reduce malaria and leishmaniasis but further field studies are needed to determine their efficacy in reducing disease transmission".
Insect repellents are an important method of personal protection against diseases such as Zika virus, dengue fever and malaria, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Experts advise that as well as sleeping under bed nets, it is important that people travelling to areas where insect-borne diseases are present should apply insect repellent regularly to any exposed skin, making sure to re-apply after bathing or vigorous exercise.
DEET is the most effective active ingredient in insect repellents, and in high risk areas a repellent containing 20-50% DEET should always be used.
Further expert comment on this study is available from the Science Media Centre.
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The School's Bug Off campaign on insect repellent awareness, including FAQs and bite-sized facts.
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