Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) were used to compare the cost of mosquito larviciding to that of chemoprophylaxis for the control of re-emerging malaria on two U.S. Army camps in South Korea. Larval surveillance showed that the primary vector, Anopheles sinensis, occurred in equal densities (p > 0.10) in rice paddies, ditches, ponds and swamps during most of the growing season. Remotely-sensed images were used to identify digitally the location and size of vector habitats within the flight range of the vector around the camps. Ground-truthing and a 1-meter resolution image were used to validate a 30-meter resolution Landsat image used for all comparisons. Cost of larvicidal treatment was based on the cost per unit area (including fuel, labor, equipment and supplies) and the size of the vector's larval habitat as determined remotely. Chemoprophylaxis cost was estimated based on the current cost of primaquine and chloroquine, a 19-week transmission season, and the size of the at-risk population. Our results showed that on one camp, 29 insecticide applications could be applied for the cost of providing chemoprophylaxis; whereas, on the other, the cost of the requisite three applications was more than the cost of chemoprophylaxis. Remote sensing and GIS allow the user to extrapolate local mosquito surveillance data to a regional scale, thus providing cost comparisons for multiple human population centers that would not otherwise be surveyed. Such comparisons allow the choice of appropriate malaria control measures for local conditions while minimizing expense and labor.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to perform the following: (1) Identify two major malaria control measures; (2) Describe the use of satellite images for measuring mosquito larval habitats; (3) Select appropriate malaria control measures based on the size of larval habitats and human population, and the costs of drugs and insecticides.
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.