Explain the strategies used to control malaria. Comment on their effectiveness (20) Flashcards
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO
Strategy - Draining swamps, planting eucalyptus trees that soak up excess moisture and covering stagnant water. TMT breeding grounds are destroyed or reduced.
Effectiveness - It is almost impossible to drain all sites; TIB there are too many needed to be drained for example paddy fields, marshlands, irrigation channels, ditches, wells, dams ect. Also the trees take a long time to grow.
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO Strategy - Spraying insecticide such as Malathion TMT
adult mosquitoes are killed in areas where people live.
Effectiveness - Expensive to do on a large scale + easy to miss some mosquitoes TMT the problem returns. DDT is very toxic (now banned) + Malathion turns walls yellow and smells TMT many people don’t want this in their homes. Also mosquitoes can become resistant to sprays.
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO
Strategy - “Flushing” water from dams / down irrigation channels TMT any mosquito larvae in the water are removed from the location.
Effectiveness - This must be done every 7 days (breeding cycle is 10 days) TMT it is wasteful of precious water so it is only possible in some areas/seasons.
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO Strategy - Egg-white or oil sprayed on the water, creates a film TMT larvae and pupae are suffocated by the clogging up of their breathing tubes. Mustard seeds thrown on the water become wet and sticky TMT mosquito larvae + pupae are dragged under water, + drown.
Effectiveness - It is difficult to do large scale.
A waste of a valuable source of protein / food supply. It can go off + contaminate water sources. If it is done regularly it can effect the local ecosystem. It must be done every 4 days TIDT the mosquito lifecycle.
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO Strategy - BTI bacteria grown in coconuts - the fermented coconuts are broken open after a few days and thrown into the mosquito infested ponds. TRI the larvae eating the bacteria which then destroy their stomach linings.
Effectiveness - A sustainable solution so can be very effective TIB 3 coconuts can keep an area free of larvae for up to 45 days. However there must be a plentiful supply of coconuts TMT it’s not suitable for all areas.
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO Strategy - Introduce larvae eating fish (e.g guppies/gambusia) to ponds + paddy fields TMT the number of mosquitoes are reduced.
Effectiveness - Only possible in permanent pools. Fish reproduce quickly + can have a knock on effect on the local ecosystem.
A) ERADICATING / CONTROLLING THE MOSQUITO Strategy - Genetic engineering of sterile males. The sterile males compete with the wild males for female insects. TMT as a result, if a female mates with a sterile male then it will have no off-spring, thus reducing the next generation’s population.
Effectiveness - Repeated release of insects can diminish small populations, though it could be impossible to eradicate it + is not efficient against dense insect populations.
B) PREVENTING MOSQUITO BITES
Strategy - Education programmes - ‘prevention is better than cure’ eg) “Buzz and Bite” (a TV campaign to raise awareness). It has a simple message which is easily understood by adults + children. TMT people can protect themselves.
Effectiveness - High levels of illiteracy rates in LEDCs often means it is difficult to spread messages however TV now reaches high numbers of the population. Verbal communication trough songs, stories + TV adverts are more accessible + therefore more effective. However, malaria is considered ‘part of life’ in many areas, TMT people don’t take precautionary measures seriously.
B) PREVENTING MOSQUITO BITES
Strategy - Use of insect repellents to prevent bites; TMT people are less likely to contract Malaria.
Effectiveness - This is expensive as a long term solution, TMT not everyone can afford it + mosquitoes can become resistant. High DEET concentrations are most effective.
B) PREVENTING MOSQUITO BITES
Strategy - covering the skin at dusk when mosquitoes are most active, TMT is makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to bite and people are less likely to be bitten. eg) there were 435,000 deaths in 2017 caused by malaria + carelessness eg) not wearing repellent is a factor causing more people to die from the disease.
Effectiveness - This is simple + easy for those with decent clothing, however, TMT people in poverty may not have clothing that covers all skin so TRI them getting bitten.
B) PREVENTING MOSQUITO BITES
Strategy - Insecticide treated bednets, TMT people are less likely to be bitten by infected mosquitoes because they are most active at night.
Effectiveness - eg) In Malawi bednets only cost £3 and can be very effective. However TMT, in rural Malawi, they wern’t able to afford them and the nets don’t work if they’re damaged, not treated with insecticide, or used correctly.
