Vector-borne diseases – diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and other vectors – are a major cause of infectious disease globally. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the world’s population is at risk of one or more vector-borne disease; 50 per cent are at risk of two or more diseases. Vector control interventions have proven to be very effective at reducing or preventing the transmission of malaria and have also significantly reduced the burden of other mosquito vector-borne diseases.
It is estimated that 78 per cent of the more than 600 million malaria cases averted in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2015 were due to two major methods of vector control: the distribution of insecticide treated bed nets (ITN) and the application of Indoor Residual Sprays (IRS). However, there is an urgent need for new vector control tools.
Resistance of vectors to the most common insecticides used for public health is a growing concern. There is also evidence that mosquitoes are changing their behaviours in response to the widespread use of current tools, such as insecticide-treated bed nets. Additionally, certain populations – such as outdoor workers and migrants – are at greater risk of disease as they are not able to fully benefit from existing vector control tools.
PARTNERSHIP
By funding the research and development of effective vector control tools tailored to the specific environmental and social conditions in the Indo-Pacific, through Product Development Partnerships (PDPs). PDPs bring together funding agencies, private industry and scientists to develop new drugs, diagnostics and other disease prevention and control technologies for use in poor-country settings where market incentives alone will not drive product development.
The Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) develops new insecticides for vector control by focusing resources and targeting practical scientific solutions.
IVCC aims to leverage and adapt their robust pipeline of innovative vector control solutions to maximise the opportunity to save lives in the Indo-Pacific region and help prevent the spread of vector borne diseases.