Comparison of standard and modified human landing catching techniques for blackfly collection

Human landing catches (HLCs) are required to collect blackflies for entomological evaluation to verify onchocerciasis elimination. However, there are ethical concerns regarding exposure of vector collectors to infectious blackflies and safer alternative methods are needed. This study evaluated a mod...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International health 2024-05, Vol.16 (3), p.351-356
Main Authors:	Atekem, Kareen, Nwane, Philippe, Nditanchou, Rogers, Jeyam, Anita, Wilhelm, Aude, Selby, Richard, Hamill, Louise, Schmidt, Elena, Dixon, Ruth, Boakye, Daniel
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animals Cameroon Entomology - methods Humans Insect Bites and Stings - prevention & control Insect Control - methods Insect Vectors Onchocerciasis - prevention & control Onchocerciasis - transmission Original Seasons Simuliidae
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Summary:	Human landing catches (HLCs) are required to collect blackflies for entomological evaluation to verify onchocerciasis elimination. However, there are ethical concerns regarding exposure of vector collectors to infectious blackflies and safer alternative methods are needed. This study evaluated a modified HLC technique where collectors wore coloured trousers (blue, black or blue-black), protecting them from bites during fly collection, and their performance was compared with the standard. The study was conducted in Makouopsap, Cameroon, in the Massangam health district for 4 months. Four collector pairs-one 'standard' (bare-legged) and three modified-were placed 50 m apart along known breeding sites on the Mbam and Nja Rivers. Collections were performed from 07:00 to 17:00 h, 4 d/month. Hourly rates of flies caught were analysed using a negative binomial generalised linear model to explore associations between flies caught and collection techniques and seasons. Overall, 17 246 blackflies were caught. There was no significant statistical difference in the number of blackflies and parous flies caught between black trousers and the standard. Thus there is a strong indication that wearing black trousers is a viable non-inferior alternative to the standard HLC. Further studies are needed to confirm generalisability in different ecozones and transmission environments and among different blackfly species.
ISSN:	1876-3413 1876-3405