Songon, 23 sept 2024 (AIP)- The Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) has developed a new mosquito trapping device, called “TrapNet”, as part of the fight against malaria and the management of the resistance of malaria vectors currently observed in sub-Saharan Africa.

The project, led by the CSRS in Côte d'Ivoire, with the support of researchers from the University of Abomey Calavi and the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), was presented on Friday September 20, 2024 in Adiopodoumé.

According to the initiator of the new device, Dr Mouhamadou Chouaïbou, entomologist and senior researcher at CSRS, faced with the resistance of certain mosquitoes, CSRS has innovated with a mosquito trapping kit attached to mosquito nets to increase their effectiveness. This kit, together with other chemicals, immediately captures and kills mosquitoes. “The overall impact of TrapNet is the potential to increase the effectiveness of any long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN),” explained Dr Chouaïbou, stressing that the initiative aims to improve the quality of life of local residents by reducing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Pilot tests will be set up in the coming days to measure the impact of this device on reducing the mosquito population and improving public health.

Forty villages have been selected for the trial in the Poro region. This four-year experimental phase will take place in seven stages.

According to IRD researchers, the trapping system promises to considerably reduce the population of mosquitoes, vectors of numerous diseases such as malaria. “This is a revolutionary project in the landscape of medical entomology research and the fight against the vector that transmits plasmodium (malaria),” said IRD's Dr Karine.

The CSRS advisor in Côte d'Ivoire, Pr Guéladio Cissé, pointed out that this technological breakthrough has been scientifically demonstrated and deserves to be scaled up operationally. “It's vital to make this solution known to the population, so that they can make it their own,” he said.

This innovation could mark a turning point in the fight against mosquitoes in Côte d'Ivoire. By combining prevention and control efforts, it is possible to considerably improve the quality of life of local residents and reduce the health risks associated with these insects.

(AIP)

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