This article is part of the supplement: Development of the sterile insect technique for African malaria vectors

Epilogue

SIT for African malaria vectors: Epilogue

Harold Townson

• Correspondence: Harold Townson htownson@liverpool.ac.uk

Author Affiliations

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK

Malaria Journal 2009, 8(Suppl 2):S10 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-8-S2-S10

Published: 16 November 2009

Abstract

As a result of increased support and the diligent application of new and conventional anti-malaria tools, significant reductions in malaria transmission are being accomplished. Historical and current evolutionary responses of vectors and parasites to malaria interventions demonstrate that it is unwise to assume that a limited suite of tools will remain effective indefinitely, thus efforts to develop new interventions should continue. This collection of manuscripts surveys the prospects and technical challenges for applying a novel tool, the sterile insect technique (SIT), against mosquitoes that transmit malaria. The method has been very successful against many agricultural pest insects in area-wide programs, but demonstrations against malaria vectors have not been sufficient to determine its potential relative to current alternatives, much of which will hinge ultimately upon cost. These manuscripts provide an overview of current efforts to develop SIT and identify key research issues that remain.