The sequential aerosol technique : a major component in an Iitegrated strategy of intervention against riverine Tsetse in Ghana

An integrated strategy of intervention against tsetse flies was implemented in the Upper West Region of Ghana (9.62u–11.00u N, 1.40u–2.76u W), covering an area of <18,000 km2 within the framework of the Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign. Two species were targeted: Glossina tachinoides and Glossina palpalis gambiensis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The objectives were to test the potentiality of the sequential aerosol technique (SAT) to eliminate riverine tsetse species in a challenging subsection (dense tree canopy and high tsetse densities) of the total sprayed area (6,745 km2) and the subsequent efficacy of an integrated strategy including ground spraying (<100 km2), insecticide treated targets (20,000) and insecticide treated cattle (45,000) in sustaining the results of tsetse suppression in the whole intervention area. The aerial application of low-dosage deltamethrin aerosols (0.33–0.35 g a.i/ha) was conducted along the three main rivers using five custom designed fixed-wings Turbo thrush aircraft. The impact of SAT on tsetse densities was monitored using 30 biconical traps deployed from two weeks before until two weeks after the operations. Results of the SAT monitoring indicated an overall reduction rate of 98% (from a pre-intervention mean apparent density per trap per day (ADT) of 16.7 to 0.3 at the end of the fourth and last cycle). One year after the SAT operations, a second survey using 200 biconical traps set in 20 sites during 3 weeks was conducted throughout the intervention area to measure the impact of the integrated control strategy. Both target species were still detected, albeit at very low densities (ADT of 0.27 inside sprayed blocks and 0.10 outside sprayed blocks). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The SAT operations failed to achieve elimination in the monitored section, but the subsequent integrated strategy maintained high levels of suppression throughout the intervention area, which will contribute to improving animal health, increasing animal production and fostering food security.The work was funded by the Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign/Ghana and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (project GCP/RAF/442/IFA).http://www.plosntds.org /home.actionam2013ab201

Tsetse catches during SAT operations.

<p>The data correspond to the total tsetse catches, teneral, non-teneral and total dissected female flies before (2 weeks) and after each SAT cycle (2–3 days for cycles 1 to 3 and 2 weeks after cycle 4).</p

Results of the entomological survey conducted in Ghana one year after SAT operations.

<p>The survey was conducted from 6^th to 24th June 2011to monitor the impact of the integrated tsetse control campaign. Tsetse apparent density is expressed as the number of catches per trap per day.</p

Timeline of the preparation and implementation of the integrated intervention strategy against riverine tsetse.

<p>For field operations the bars indicate the start and end date of deployment. More details on the spatial configuration and the frequency of deployment are provided in the text.</p

Tsetse control operations conducted in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

<p>The map represents the situation from March 2010 to December 2011.</p

Temperatures inversion layer measured from Wa airport on 2 April 2010.

<p>Temperatures inversion layer measured from Wa airport on 2 April 2010.</p

Mean daily catch of tsetse before and during the SAT operation in Ghana.

<p>Vertical bars indicate the periods of SAT applications.</p