11th EMCA Workshop – Side event on communication on the Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) against Aedes vectors, to control Aedes-borne diseases

Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an innovative and environmentally friendly potential method of controlling harmful insects, combining the science of biology with the principles of sustainable agriculture. It is based on the mass rearing and release of sterile male insects, which, when mated with females, lead to a reduction in reproduction and consequently in the insect population. At a time when insecticide resistance and environmental concerns are at the centre of the debate, this technique is emerging as a viable alternative. The sterile insect release technique is a promising technique for mosquito control, particularly those that transmit diseases such as dengue, malaria and Zika virus. However, its effectiveness depends on a number of factors and remains an area of ongoing research and development.

The success of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) depends not only on its scientific application, but also on the acceptance and understanding of the method by the general population. Informing the public about SIT is crucial, as it helps to create positive attitudes, reduce misunderstandings, strengthen cooperation with local communities and generally ensure the success of SIT programmes (for example through targeted awareness campaigns, community dialogue and cooperation with the media).

For this reason, in the framework of the 11th Workshop of the European Mosquito Control Association, a parallel session was organized by the TDR Department of the World Health Organization on the 5th of December, with the presence of 25 scientists from all over the world on the topic of communication on the sterile insect technique (SIT) against Aedes vectors for the control of Aedes-borne diseases. Due to high demand, the session was broadcast live (online streaming) for all workshop participants.

The session started with two interesting presentations by Hervé Bossin from French Polynesia and Rudy Ru-Xue from Florida, USA. This was followed by case study presentations on SIT programme communication in Indonesia (Hadian Sasmita), Tunisia (Elyes zhioua), Reunion (Louis-Clément Gouagna), and Sri Lanka (Anoja Deerasinghe). The presentations concluded with a presentation by Dr Charles m’Bogo (President of the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association-PAMCA) on the communication and acceptance of the SIT technique by communities and other methods of mosquito control in Africa, and the session was closed by Dr Florence Fouque, a World Health Organization scientist and focal person for vectors at the WHO Special Programme for Research and Training on Tropical Diseases.

You can find the full agenda of the side event in the following link: Workshop on SIT COM-5December2024-Draft Agenda-V3 (1)