1. The Role of Entomological Monitoring for Malaria Vector Control
Aklilu Seyoum
July 2015

2. Introduction
AIRS has been Implementing IRS in multiple African countries in collaborating with NMCPs and partners
Understanding and monitoring the species composition of malaria vectors, behavior and insecticide resistance status are critical for the program success
IRS operations and Entomological Monitoring in 15 sub-saharan African countries
Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (recently Tanzania included)
Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Nigeria
Due to potential increase in insecticide selection pressure on vector populations, it is important to monitor changes in species composition, behavior and susceptibility to insecticides

4. Entomological Monitoring
Assess impact of IRS interventions on mosquito density, biting rate, behavior, parity and entomological inoculation rate
Baseline data should be collected before IRS, and data should also be collected from the non-IRS control sites
Assess quality of IRS operations and monitor the residual efficacy of insecticides sprayed
Monitor insecticide resistance.
In collaboration with the NMCP, research institutions and universities

5. Components of Entomological Monitoring in Project Countries
Pyrethrum Spray Catches
Indoor resting density
Human Landing Catches
Biting rates indoor & outdoor, EIR, Parity and peak biting time
CDC Light Trap Collections
As alternate to estimate biting rate indoors
Where specimens are morphologically identified to the An. gambiae complex and An. funestus group, a sub-sample will need to be sent to a reference laboratory for molecular identification of species by PCR.
The subsample size depends on the relative abundance of the samples, laboratory capacity, availability of budget.

6. Components of Entomological Monitoring in Project Countries cont.
Insecticide Resistance Monitoring: to determine vectors susceptibility to insecticides currently in use or to be used in the future, and determine intensity of resistance
At least one insecticide from each of the 4 classes of insecticides
Regularly monitor at least once in a year, but frequency should be increased if there is increase in malaria
WHO tube tests and CDC bottle assays
Intensity assays and synergists assays
All PMI/AIRS countries should collect data on resistance intensity
The level of resistance intensity (percent survival at 5X and 10X the concentration of insecticides used to test for resistance) may provide information on the impact of IR on vector control intervention.
In Zambia survival at 5X and 10X associated with blood fed mosquitoes in ITN areas

7. Mechanisms of resistance: Once resistance is suspected, the underlying mechanism of resistance should be identified.
Metabolic resistance can be detected using CDC bottle assays
Biochemical assays
Target site resistance can be detected by PCR tests for kdr and acetyl cholinesterase resistance genes

8. Cone bioassay tests
Monitor quality of spraying
Determine residual life of insecticide
Evaluate variations in different surface types
Known susceptible laboratory reared mosquitoes should be used. If not available wild unfed females can be used as long as there is no resistance in the population.

9. Insecticide selections for IRS operations
The choice of which insecticide to use should be made based on experts consultations
At least six months before the spray operation
Criteria includes
Vector resistance
Residual efficacy
Risk to human health and environment, livestock and agriculture trade
Acceptability to NMCP
Cost

10. Conclusion
Entomological monitoring is critically important for decision making process of IRS operations.
It helps to understand if there is any impact on vector related indices and guide future interventions

11. Thank you!