Is It Time to Formally Recognize Spatial Repellency for Disease Prevention?

There are several chemical control interventions currently available for managing adult mosquitoes and thereby prevention of human diseases transmitted by these insects (i.e., malaria, dengue). Strategies include long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs), indoor residual spray (IRS), outdoor space-spray as well as a handful of other consumer-based household products to include coils and passive release emanators. However, only the use of LLINs and IRS are currently recommended by the World Health Organization for disease prevention. Although described for decades and used by local persons in disease endemic areas, the formal recognition of spatial repellency for disease prevention has not occurred. Why is this so important? Because recognition by global health authorities facilitates the development of such products by industry manufacturers that open opportunities for the expansion of new mosquito control approaches ? something that is vital in the challenging fight against mosquito-borne disease.