Summary

Dengue is an important emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in Sri Lanka at present. The disease has a significant effect on livelihoods of people living in the endemic areas of the country. Colombo, Gampaha and Kandy districts show high prevalence of the infection. However, studies on many aspects of disease transmission have been very limited.

In this study, entomological monitoring will be carried out in these three districts to prepare a prediction model for transmission of dengue. Levels of dengue virus transmission by different vector mosquito vector species also be studied in order to incriminate vector species transmission of dengue in selected areas for the study. Further, strengthen of dengue vector control measures including novel control agents/devices is important as vector control has become the most important strategy in control of dengue.  In this study, vector control intervention including biological and chemical control agents, new mechanical devices and modified dengue vector mosquitoes will be used in selected study areas to identify site-specific control method. Early rapid definitive diagnosis of dengue patients at the field setting is very important in control of dengue. In this study, a novel diagnostic kit will be prepared new technologies including Biotechnology and Nanotechnology.

The highest number of cases are recorded in the District of Colombo. In view of this situation, a study is planned on Eco-Bio- Social aspects in relation to transmission of the disease. The study will focus on effects of dengue on livelihoods transformation of people living in endemic areas while understanding the ecological, cultural, social, economic and biological factors relating to transmission of the disease. The potential measures for intervention for the prevention and control of the disease will be identified. Needs for improvements in the knowledge base of the active stakeholders, building research capacity and methods to be adopted for potential interventions and the problems to be encountered will also be studied. Further, presenting and analysis of data using the Geographical Information System (GIS) will be performed. In this study, professionals from various sectors will work together with the health professionals to control of dengue. Results of this project will definitely contribute to control of dengue in Sri Lanka.

Objectives

• To determine environmental friendly and efficient vector control strategies (biological and chemical control agents, mechanical devices and modified vector mosquitoes) including novel control agents/devices in controlling dengue vector mosquitoes
• To develop a rapid, highly sensitive and user friendly novel diagnostic kit using biotechnology and nanotechnology for the detection of dengue virus during at the acute stage of infection
• To identify social, cultural, economic, ecological and biological factors associated with transmission of dengue in order to develop prevention and control strategies
• To improve the knowledge base regarding transmission of  dengue among stakeholders and the general public in high risk areas in order to build capacity in the community.
• To develop a model of for environmental management and community mobilization for control of dengue
• To develop a GIS-based model for control of dengue

Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant

• Real-time PCR quantitative detector
• Major Ice flake maker
• Major Gel electrophoresis system with a power guard
• Transfer Man® 4r, Micromanipulator with Dual Speed Joystick for direct and dynamic Movement control

Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant

• Real-time PCR quantitative detector
• Major Ice flake maker
• Major Gel electrophoresis system with a power guard
• Transfer Man® 4r, Micromanipulator with Dual Speed Joystick for direct and dynamic Movement control

Designation

Principal Investigator (PI)

Deputy Principal Investigator (DPI)

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Co- investigator

Institute

Molecular Medicine Unit Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya

Molecular Medicine Unit Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya

Biotechnology Unit Industrial Technology Institute

Faculty of Social Sciences University of Kelaniya

Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Colombo

Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Colombo

Plant Biology Institute of Fundamental Studies

Regional Office Anti-Malaria Campaign Kandy

Western Province Health Department of Sri Lanka

Biotechnology Unit Industrial Technology Institute

Biotechnology Unit Industrial Technology Institute

Biotechnology Unit Industrial Technology Institute

Biotechnology Unit Industrial Technology Institute

Material Technology Section Industrial Technology Institute

Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC)

Summary of research outputs: An operation model to control dengue in Sri Lanka using multiple vector control interventions, new product development and community engagement (NRC TO 14/04)

Sri Lanka has been affected by epidemics of dengue over the past two decades and it has now become the most common vector-borne disease. The disease has a significant effect on the health and livelihoods of people. Up to now different conventional methods have been used for dengue control in terms of vector control and patient management, but the expected reduction in dengue incidence has not been achieved. The project aimed to develop an operational model to control dengue in Sri Lanka using multiple vector control interventions, new product development, community engagement and optimal use of existing technologies and tools.

Under this project, vector control interventions including use of biological and chemical control agents, modified dengue vector mosquitoes and new mechanical devices were tested to identify the most effective and site-specific vector control method(s). Larvivorous fish and carnivorous copepod species were identified. The sterile male mosquito technique, developed to control dengue vector mosquitoes, was successfully field tested in collaboration with the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU). The first-ever transgenic Aedes aegypti to block transmission of some serotypes of the dengue virus was engineered and was successfully semi-field tested and a patent filed. An Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) with a high margin of safety for mammals was identified and successfully field-tested to control dengue vector mosquito breeding in pineapple plantations. New products for controlling vector mosquitoes developed under the project such as natural oil-based nano-repellent with an effective period of 7 hours and lethal ovitraps are ready for commercialization. In addition to development/application of vector control agents/devices, spatial and temporal risk models with a prediction power of 3 months have been developed for predicting impending dengue epidemics at the national level. A model developed for environmental management and community mobilization for control of dengue in schools was accepted by the Ministry of Environment for inclusion in the teachers’’ guide book for environmental pioneers programme. Project findings were extensively disseminated at national and international levels targeting stakeholders and a wider audience through training programmes, symposiums and publications/media reports. All information on development/application of control agents/devices and others included in the SOPs/guidelines were transferred to stake holders and received acceptance. These project findings are ready for implementation through the NDCU under the National Dengue Vector Control Program.

In addition to development/application of vector control agents/devices and others, the upgrading of infrastructure in participating institutions and establishment of collaborative links with national and international institutions were further achievements made under the project. This project provided an ideal platform for professionals from various disciplines to work together towards development of an operational model to control dengue. Seven post graduate students (PhD) were trained under the project.

Participating institutions – University of Kelaniya (Main institution), University of Colombo, Anti-Malaria Campaign, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) and Western Province Health Department.