Use of Larvivorous Fish in Biological and Environmental Control of Disease Vectors - Biological and Environmental Control of Disease Vectors - page 35

pharmaceuticals have become obsolete where
parasites have developed resistance to these
compounds. Due to adverse side ef ects, high cost
and evolution of resistance against chemical
control, a viable supplement to vector control
strategies in developing countries may be health
and hygiene education and biological vector
control, for example with predatory fi sh as
discussed in this chapter.
Alternative and environmentally friendly
tools such as the application of larvivorous fi sh
must be developed, strengthened and
implemented. They can reduce the burden of
mosquito-borne diseases and simultaneously
produce many benefi ts. The positive aspects of
biocontrol strategies include protection of the
environment and human health, enhanced
general health status, long-term sustainability
and contributions to rural development.
However, the application of larvivorous fi sh
cannot be the only method of mosquito control
and must be used in association with other
environmental and social programmes. Using
integrated vector management programmes,
synergistic approaches such as the combination

of adding mosquito predators to water bodies
together with botanical blends and microbial
pesticides along with community education and
aquatic environmental management will
provide better outcomes in reducing the vector
population and disease burden (see Cameron et
al ., Chapter 10, this volume).
For the ef ective reduction of vector
population and to minimize the incidence of
vector-borne diseases, a holistic approach,
incorporating larval and adult mosquito surveil-
lance, environmental and human habitation
modifi cation, improved public health systems
and health education and community partici-
pation is required. This will involve implement-
ation of decentralized mosquito control at
regional and national levels, increasing local
capacity building, engaging civil society
organizations and using the appropriate
legislation (such as the application of civil
bylaws, building construction act, environ-
mental health act and environmental impact
assessment laws). This will not be able to be
achieved without the support of local research,
inter-sectoral and regional cooperation.

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