Group | New Vector Control Interventions

Experimental Huts, Ifakara

Our mission is to bring new vector control products to market more rapidly and cost-efficiently through the conduct of rigorous evaluations of their efficacy and effectiveness. We evaluate products using well powered studies, enhanced research standards, and careful data analysis. At the same time, we are dedicated to building capacity in entomology for the future of vector control.

The group specializes in developing methodologies to evaluate new products. The team embraces the challenge of testing new chemistries. In recent years, we have evaluated new types of indoor residual spray (IRS), insecticide treated nets (ITNs) insecticide treated house screening, topical repellents (TR), odour baited traps, volatile pyrethroid spatial repellents (VPSR) and attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSB).

In addition, the study team is well versed in product evaluation methodology and has been involved in the development of several WHO testing guidelines and best practice product testing standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

The NVCI group is based at Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in Tanzania. Product testing data is used by the team of young entomologists as the basis of their MSc and PhD projects.  

Sarah Moore

Sarah Moore

PD, PhD

Group Leader
sarah.moore@swisstph.ch

Key Projects

Visual Analysis of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets to Maximise Universal Access (ViALLIN MUsAcc)

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), or bed nets, are the mainstay of malaria control. However, more than 50% of people living in endemic areas are currently unprotected because LLINs often wear out sooner than their expected lifespan. The goal of this project is to develop a digital tool enabling national malaria control programs to improve planning for programmatic LLIN distribution, monitoring of LLIN quality and selection of the best product for use according to contextual settings. By providing information on mosquito net lifespan, the project aims to optimise resource use, increase the protection of children, and reduce malaria transmission in low- and middle-income countries. Read more

Latest Publications

All Publications

Burton T.A et al. Semi-field evaluation of a volatile transfluthrin-based intervention reveals efficacy as a spatial repellent and evidence of other modes of action. PLoS One. 2023;18(5):e0285501. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285501

Challenger J.D et al. Assessing the variability in experimental hut trials evaluating insecticide-treated nets against malaria vectors. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis. 2023;3:100115. DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100115

Mbuba E et al. Multi-country evaluation of the durability of pyrethroid plus piperonyl-butoxide insecticide-treated nets: study protocol. Malar J. 2023;22:30. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04465-x

Swai J.K et al. CDC light traps underestimate the protective efficacy of an indoor spatial repellent against bites from wild Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in Tanzania. Malar J. 2023;22:141. DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04568-5

Tambwe M.M et al. Human landing catches provide a useful measure of protective efficacy for the evaluation of volatile pyrethroid spatial repellents. Parasit Vectors. 2023;16:90. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05685-5