An ecotoxicological view on malaria vector control with ivermectin-treated cattle

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Résumé

Malaria remains an enduring challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, aecting public health and development. Control measures can include the use
of insecticides that target adult Anopheles mosquitoes transmitting
the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite. Such mosquitoes can also bite livestock, allowing vector populations to be maintained at levels that enable parasite transmission. Thus, one way to control the spread of malaria includes the use of endectocide-treated livestock which renders the blood of cattle toxic to such mosquito populations. Here
we present an ecotoxicological perspective on malaria vector control, using cattle treated with the endectocide ivermectin to target zoophagic and opportunistic Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. Our study employs
an innovative, long-acting injectable ivermectin formulation with over
6 months of sustained mosquitocidal activity. Robust vector population modelling underscores its promising #eld eectiveness. Environmental implications (soil sorption and dissipation) of excreted ivermectin and potential ecotoxicological risks to non-target dung organisms in West Africa are discussed, in addition to actionable, locally inspired risk mitigation measures to protect sub-Saharan soils and agroecosystems from chemical pollution. We highlight how ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry improve livestock-based vector control with ivermectin for eective and more sustainable malaria management.

Mots-clés

Ivermectin, Ecotoxycology, malaria vector