Zika AIRS Project (ZAP) Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS 2) Task Order Six: Bi-Annual Report

The project focuses on indoor residual spraying (IRS) as a key strategy to reduce the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary vector of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Aedes aegypti breeding containers were identified through ovitrap surveys, which revealed that 45-gallon water drums were the most frequently encountered breeding site. Larvae/pupae surveys conducted in sentinel sites showed a significant presence of Aedes aegypti larvae in these containers. Adult collection data indicated that female Aedes aegypti were predominantly collected from households with all three traps operating simultaneously. Insecticide resistance testing was conducted to assess the efficacy of various insecticides against Aedes aegypti. The results showed that Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) and temephos exhibited moderate to high levels of resistance. In contrast, pyrethroids and insect growth regulators (IGRs) showed varying degrees of susceptibility. The findings suggest that the use of Bti and temephos may need to be reassessed in the context of IRS programs in Jamaica. The project's methodology involved the use of ovitraps, larvae/pupae surveys, adult collection, and insecticide resistance testing. The results of these surveys and tests provided valuable insights into the breeding habits and insecticide susceptibility of Aedes aegypti in Jamaica. The data collected will inform the development of effective IRS programs and contribute to the control of arboviral diseases in the region. The Zika virus has been a major public health concern globally, particularly in the Americas. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern in February 2016, citing the link between Zika virus infection and severe birth defects. In response to this emergency, the United States Government allocated funds to Latin America and the Caribbean, targeting countries with the highest level of infection and greatest anticipated needs. The Zika AIRS Project (ZAP) is one such initiative, aimed at reducing the spread of arboviral diseases in Jamaica through IRS and other control measures.