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This article is from Malaria Journal , volume 11 . Abstract Background: Integrated vector management (IVM) is increasingly being recommended as an option for sustainable malaria control. However, many malaria-endemic countries lack a policy framework to guide and promote the approach. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge and perceptions in relation to current malaria vector control policy and IVM in Uganda, and to make recommendations for consideration during future development of a specific IVM policy. Methods: The study used a structured questionnaire to interview 34 individuals working at technical or policy-making levels in health, environment, agriculture and fisheries sectors. Specific questions on IVM focused on the following key elements of the approach: integration of chemical and non-chemical interventions of vector control; evidence-based decision making; inter-sectoral collaboration; capacity building; legislation; advocacy and community mobilization. Results: All participants were familiar with the term IVM and knew various conventional malaria vector control (MVC) methods. Only 75% thought that Uganda had a MVC policy. Eighty percent (80%) felt there was inter-sectoral collaboration towards IVM, but that it was poor due to financial constraints, difficulties in involving all possible sectors and political differences. The health, environment and agricultural sectors were cited as key areas requiring cooperation in order for IVM to succeed. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of participants responded that communities were actively being involved in MVC, while 48% felt that the use of research results for evidence-based decision making was inadequate or poor. A majority of the participants felt that malaria research in Uganda was rarely used to facilitate policy changes. Suggestions by participants for formulation of specific and effective IVM policy included: revising the MVC policy and IVM-related policies in other sectors into a single, unified IVM policy and, using legislation to enforce IVM in development projects. Conclusion: Integrated management of malaria vectors in Uganda remains an underdeveloped component of malaria control policy. Cooperation between the health and other sectors needs strengthening and funding for MVC increased in order to develop and effectively implement an appropriate IVM policy. Continuous engagement of communities by government as well as monitoring and evaluation of vector control programmes will be crucial for sustaining IVM in the country.

This article is from BMC Public Health , volume 14 . Abstract Background: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and mosquito control programs (MCPs) diverge in settings and countries, and lead control specialists need to be aware of the most effective control strategies. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategies, once implemented in MCPs, aim to reduce cost and optimize protection of the populations against VBDs. This study presents a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis to compare IVM strategies used by MCPs in Saint Johns County, Florida and Guayas, Ecuador. This research evaluates MCPs strategies to improve vector control activities. Methods: Methods included descriptive findings of the MCP operations. Information was obtained from vector control specialists, directors, and residents through field trips, surveys, and questionnaires. Evaluations of the strategies and assets of the control programs where obtained through SWOT analysis and within an IVM approach. Results: Organizationally, the Floridian MCP is a tax-based District able to make decisions independently from county government officials, with the oversight of an elected board of commissioners. The Guayas program is directed by the country government and assessed by non-governmental organizations like the World health Organization. Operationally, the Floridian MCP conducts entomological surveillance and the Ecuadorian MCP focuses on epidemiological monitoring of human disease cases. Strengths of both MCPs were their community participation and educational programs. Weaknesses for both MCPs included limitations in budgets and technical capabilities. Opportunities, for both MCPs, are additional funding and partnerships with private, non-governmental, and governmental organizations. Threats experienced by both MCPs included political constraints and changes in the social and ecological environment that affect mosquito densities and control efforts. IVM pillars for policy making were used to compare the information among the programs. Differences included how the Ecuadorian MCP relies heavily on the community for vector control while the American MCP relies on technologies and research. Conclusion: IVM based recommendations direct health policy leaders toward improving surveillance systems both entomologically and epidemiologically, improving community risk perceptions by integrating components of community participation, maximizing resources though the use of applied research, and protecting the environment by selecting low-risk pesticides. Outcomes of the research revealed that inter-sectorial and multidisciplinary interventions are critical to improve public health.

This scoping review seeks to map the evidence on these current approaches in vector management, employed in the Indian public health programme, exploring their features, and challenges associated with it. The review also will try to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of emerging tools and the facilitators and barriers to their implementation in Integrated Vector Management (IVM) practices in India.

As per the WHO reports, out of all infectious diseases, globally, more than 17% of the disease is reported by Vector-borne diseases, which accounts for almost 700000 deaths in a year. Malaria and Dengue are two major mosquito-borne diseases affecting a larger global population. Malaria accounts for 219 million cases globally and more than 400,000 deaths every year. In contrast, Dengue is the most prevalent viral infection; over 3.9 billion people in over 129 countries are at risk of contracting Dengue, accounting for 96 million symptomatic cases and an estimated 40,000 deaths annually.(1) Vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), Japanese encephalitis (JE) and lymphatic filariasis (LF) pose significant public health challenges in India. India has committed to elimination targets for malaria and other vector-borne diseases and has adopted Integrated Vector Management (IVM) as the organising strategy for control in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations.(10) The Government of India has institutionalized IVM in its national policy – an operational manual for IVM was first developed in 2016, and a comprehensive Manual on Integrated Vector Management in India was released in 2022 to guide state and district-level vector control programs in adopting this strategy. This reflects a high-level commitment to IVM as the cornerstone of vector-borne disease control in the country which in practice, is a mix of interventions (for example, indoor residual spraying, long-lasting insecticidal nets, larval source management, biological control, and personal protection), applying local entomological and epidemiological evidence, coordinating health services with municipal, water, housing, and sanitation departments, and engaging communities. Despite the efforts, the programme faces several challenges that hinder its success. The success of the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) programme depends on the attitude, behaviour, and cooperation of both healthcare providers and the community. The disparity between the anticipated outcomes and actual field performance primarily arises from implementation challenges. Program teams are required to deliver an optimal combination of tools at the appropriate timing and dosage, monitor for resistance, sustain supply chain integrity, coordinate with other departments, and effectively engage community stakeholders. Hence, understanding these implementation bottlenecks is crucial because even proven vector control interventions will have limited impact if they cannot be delivered effectively and sustainably on the ground. Given the importance of overcoming these challenges, a systematic synthesis of recent evidence on IVM implementation in India is required. To our knowledge, this will the first systematic review and meta-synthesis of how IVM has been operationalised in the Indian context and what obstacles are being encountered, as well as the challenges that exist in the implementation of IVM in the Indian context. The hope of this study is that these findings will provide a more structured organisation of the barriers to IVM implementation and will help to guide stakeholders in strengthening IVM implementation. This gap is significant, as India is striving to achieve ambitious disease-specific targets – for example, the national goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 and to eliminate kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis in the near term. Achieving these goals will depend not only on technical interventions but also on the strength of implementation. We have therefore undertaking a systematic review of studies (particularly from 2016 onwards, reflecting the period of intensified IVM adoption and new challenges) to identify and analyze the implementation challenges to IVM in India. In approaching this evidence, we will employ an implementation science lens to organize and interpret the findings. Specifically, we will use Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as a guiding framework. This framework provides a practical way to systematically assess potential barriers at multiple levels through five domains: characteristics of the intervention itself, the inner setting (implementing organization/system), the outer setting (external context and stakeholders), characteristics of individuals involved, and the implementation process. By mapping the identified challenges in the Indian IVM literature onto the CFIR domains, we aim to ensure a comprehensive analysis that captures the complex, multilevel nature of implementation problems. Objectives. (a) To identify and describe implementation barriers to Integrated Vector Management (IVM) in India; (b) To map each barrier to CFIR domains and constructs and quantify the number of studies reporting it; and (c) To outline near-term actions for programs and policy in India.

This article is from Parasites & Vectors , volume 7 . Abstract Background: Mayotte, a small island in the Indian Ocean, has been affected for many years by vector-borne diseases. Malaria, Bancroftian filariasis, dengue, chikungunya and Rift Valley fever have circulated or still circulate on the island. They are all transmitted by Culicidae mosquitoes. To limit the impact of these diseases on human health, vector control has been implemented for more than 60 years on Mayotte. In this study, we assessed the resistance levels of four major vector species (Anopheles gambiae, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) to two types of insecticides: i) the locally currently-used insecticides (organophosphates, pyrethroids) and ii) alternative molecules that are promising for vector control and come from different insecticide families (bacterial toxins or insect growth regulators). When some resistance was found to one of these insecticides, we characterized the mechanisms involved. Methods: Larval and adult bioassays were used to evaluate the level of resistance. When resistance was found, we tested for the presence of metabolic resistance through detoxifying enzyme activity assays, or for target-site mutations through molecular identification of known resistance alleles. Results: Resistance to currently-used insecticides varied greatly between the four vector species. While no resistance to any insecticides was found in the two Aedes species, bioassays confirmed multiple resistance in Cx. p. quinquefasciatus (temephos: ~ 20 fold and deltamethrin: only 10% mortality after 24 hours). In An. gambiae, resistance was scarce: only a moderate resistance to temephos was found (~5 fold). This resistance appears to be due only to carboxyl-esterase overexpression and not to target modification. Finally, and comfortingly, none of the four species showed resistance to any of the new insecticides. Conclusions: The low resistance observed in Mayotte’s main disease vectors is particularly interesting, because it leaves a range of tools useable by vector control services. Together with the relative isolation of the island (thus limited immigration of mosquitoes), it provides us with a unique place to implement an integrated vector management plan, including all the good practices learned from previous experiences.

DHF is a vector-borne disease caused by dengue virus transmitted to humans through the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Many efforts have been taken by the government to overcome the occurrence of dengue cases. However, the cases in Tanjungpinang continue to occur throughout the year and even increased in 2018. The implementation of Aedes vector control program is still done individually. Therefore, an approach which involves all sectors, including government, the private sector, and society, is needed. A descriptive and analytical observational study of 50 samples and 214 coordinate points of DHF patients were carried out for mapping and dynamics of transmission surveys. Out of 434 DHF patients, 60.1% of them were from the Tanjungpinang Timur sub-district with a pattern of group distribution, especially in urban villages with the highest population density namely Pinang Kencana Village. Vector surveillance showed 61.1% villages in the indices of Aedes aegypti and/or Aedes albopictus HI > 5 and RR > 0.025. Control of Aedes sp is not only the responsibility of the health sector but is also the responsibility of all sectors. To ensure the continuity of vector control, the development of a strategy in the form of integrated vector management is needed. The integrated vector management concept is to integrate effective and economical vector control methods involving all sectors. Thus, in order to implement integrated vector management, commitment from stakeholders and related sectors is required. Besides, it requires the active role of the community to be involved in vector control.

Malaria remains a health problem in Indonesia. In 2017, 4.9 million people lived in malaria endemic areas, with 261,617 cases reported and 100 fatalities. In the Purworejo district, there were 276 cases in 2017. The lack of knowledge about malaria in early childhood is strongly suspected as one of the factors affecting prevention. This research aimed to measure the level of knowledge of elementary school students about malaria and determine how far the school curriculum should have malaria content. Random sampling was performed on 121 elementary school studentsfrom 24 schools,to measure knowledge of malaria and determine its inclusion in curriculum. Data was analyzed to determine the level of knowledge of malaria and the extent to which it appears in curriculum. The results of a survey of 121 (6th grade students) show that the majority (95%) had heard about malaria in general. They understand malaria as a “heat and cold” disease (87%), and transmitted by mosquitoes (98%). Nearly half of respondents (47%) had a family member who had suffered from malaria. Only 41% realized bedrest is importantto recover if infected. When verbally questioned about aspects of the Anopheles mosquito species, only 12% answered correctly. Respondents were less well informed that Anopheles is a transmitter of malaria (25%), and did not understand that the river/pond is a breeding ground for the Anopheles mosquito (5%). In all schools surveyed (100%), we found no local content related to malaria in the elementary school curriculum. Lack of knowledge about malaria is still a factor in the persistence of malaria cases. Curriculum becomes a source of knowledge forelementary school students in endemic areas. The inclusion of local content about malaria is one of the community’s behavioral factors to prevent malaria. The basic knowledgeabout Anopheles species and its ecology in early childhood is below exectations. There is no health lesson about malaria in the elementary school curriculum. Education on malaria is needed to help eliminate malaria in the long term and to ensure the sustainability of malaria control.

1Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-catcher After 25 Years' Experience

By Ike Matthews

No big city without rats, particularly back in Ike Matthews' time. The professional rat catcher explains to us in this little volume the best way to catch and exterminate those little rodents. - Summary by Carolin

This is a volume of essays by American author Brander Matthews. Matthews is today mostly remembered for his short pieces of speculative fiction, but his essays are also of enduring interest. This volume contains 15 essays on different topics, ranging from contemporary history (1922) over literature to philosophy. They are written in a very accessible style and will interest readers and listeners today as much as they must have interested readers when the book was published in 1922. - Summary by Carolin

3Poems of American Patriotism

By Brander Matthews

This book is a collection of patriotic poems by many authors. - Summary by Hannah Shaver

4Best Ghost Stories

By E. F. Benson, Ambrose Bierce, Algernon Blackwood, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Ellis Parker Butler, Daniel Defoe, M. R. James, Rudyard Kipling, Leopold Kompert, Brander Matthews, Vincent O'Sullivan, Arthur B. Reeve and Various

Collected together here by master anthologist Joseph Lewis French are some of the finest ghost stories ever to be put to paper. From the early influential tales of Daniel Defoe and Edward Bulwer-Lytton to more contemporary masters of the terror tale such as M. R. James, Algernon Blackwood and E. F. Benson, this collection brings together a bounty of riches sure to keep you awake into the dark, dreadful night! - Summary by Ben Tucker

5Mazes and Labyrinths: A General Account of Their History and Development

By William Henry Matthews

Come along on a journey through the history of Mazes and Labyrinths by W.H. Matthews. Get lost in the wonders of winding paths, from ancient Egyptian temples to medieval cathedrals and English garden mazes. Blending mythology, archaeology, and folklore, discover how these puzzling patterns have symbolized everything from spiritual quests to playful challenges. From the Minotaur’s lair to elegant hedge mazes at country estates, Matthews reveals how humanity has always loved getting lost—on purpose. - Summary by Carrie Mae Streb