Abstract
The global approach to mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) is in need of critical re-evaluation. Although there have been dramatic reductions in malaria incidence since 2000, malaria elimination from high-transmission settings remains problematic. At the same time, arbovirus outbreaks have increased in their frequency and impact. The 2015–2016 Zika virus epidemic exposed the dire state of MBD control in many countries, calling for united global action. Despite international resolve to prevent future epidemics, current practices in MBD control are mostly reactive and of limited efficacy. In this Opinion article, we summarize the views of 25 international mosquito experts about the current state of MBD control and highlight the issues that must be addressed in order to tackle emerging threats on the horizon.
Malaria mortality has been cut in half since 2000 due to successful mosquito control, but arbovirus outbreaks are increasing in frequency and intensity.
The threat of mosquito-borne diseases to global health security has never been more apparent, but the agendas of the various governments, institutions, and donor agencies involved are still not aligned.
Insecticide resistance has been reported against all major classes of insecticides in use, threatening to reverse the gains we have made fighting mosquito-borne diseases.
The recent Zika epidemic highlighted that mosquito control as currently practiced in most of the world is reactive and of limited efficacy.
Several promising technologies for mosquito vector control are in the pipeline, but greater health system infrastructure and entomological capacity are needed in endemic countries to bring them into use.
