Strategies for managing a water-related disease

Question 1

against adult mosquito

Answer 1

1. Spraying insecticides in an attempt to kill the Anopheles mosquitoes which spread the disease.
2. Breeding genetically modified sterile mosquitoes, or mosquitoes unable to carry the parasite.
3. Breeding mosquitoes which give birth to predominantly male offspring to reduce the numbers of female mosquitoes.
4. Mosquito traps which mimic animals and humans by emitting a small amount of carbon dioxide in order to lure the mosquitoes into the trap where they are killed.
5. Increased use of insecticide-coated mosquito nets at night.

Question 2

against larvae

Answer 2

1. BTI bacteria artificially grown in coconuts. the fermented coconuts are broken open after a few days and thrown into the mosquito larvae-infested ponds. The larvae eat the bacteria and have their stomach lining destroyed.
2. Putting larvae-eating fish such as the muddy loach into stagnant ponds or paddy fields.
3. Flushing reservoirs and draining stagnant ponds or swamps every seven days as it takes longer than this period of time for the larvae to develop into adult mosquitoes.
4. Planting eucalyptus trees can help soak up excess moisture and reduce the amount of stagnant water.

Question 3

against plasmodium

Answer 3

1. Medication to kill the parasite/prevent infection such as quinine and chloroquine.
2. Vaccinations such as RTS,S/Mosquirix. Prevention is better than treatment.
3. Educating people in the use of insect repellents or covering the skin at dawn/dusk when mosquitoes are most active (eg, the WHO’s Roll Back Malaria campaign).