Target mosquito larvae to fight malaria

Tackling mosquito larvae can help to stem the spread of malaria in urban areas, according to the results of an African study.

A pilot scheme promoting the use of larvacides in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam has proved successful.

The pilot was launched in 2003 and included 300 community-based staff. Results published this week in the journal PLos One show that malaria risk dropped significantly in areas where larvacides were used in collaborations with other measures.

Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and led by Dar es Salaam City Council, the study also gained input from Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellow Dr Gerry Killeen.

Tanzania-based Dr Killeen, from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: "Malaria control programmes have traditionally focused on rural areas, where the disease is more prevalent.

"However, it's becoming clear that malaria also poses a problem in towns or cities, where we expect that over half the African population will live by 2030. In fact, it is likely that malaria is easier to control and even eliminate in these areas."

News brought to you by Global Health TV, covering the issues of health in the developing world