Managing and controlling diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes: a review on best practices

TL;DR

This paper reviews best practices for controlling Aedes mosquitoes and managing dengue fever globally, emphasizing community efforts, surveillance, and innovative methods.

Contribution

The study compiles and evaluates diverse global strategies for Aedes mosquito control and dengue prevention, including novel interventions like Wolbachia and machine learning.

Findings

Wolbachia-based interventions reduced dengue incidence by 77% in urban trials.

Machine learning models improved outbreak prediction accuracy by up to 29%.

Community-driven programs enhanced preventive behaviors by 50–70%.

Abstract

Dengue fever (DF) is a viral disease caused by the dengue virus and is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. It is characterized by symptoms such as high fever and severe headache, which can lead to severe complications. As there are no effective treatments or vaccines, prevention is crucial. This study aims to identify best practices from various countries for controlling Aedes populations and managing DF.

We reviewed best practices for DF and Aedes mosquito control from various countries, including Taiwan, India, Oman, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan, China, the Philippines, Japan, Brazil, Paraguay, France, Portugal, Spain, Peru, the United States, Colombia, Australia, and Iran. The PubMed database was searched until August 2024.

Dengue outbreaks necessitate diverse control strategies across nations. Machine learning models incorporating climatic and entomological data improved outbreak prediction accuracy by up to 29%, while Wolbachia-based interventions reduced dengue incidence by 77% in urban trials. Community-driven programs enhanced preventive behaviors by 50–70%, and novel vaccines demonstrated > 94% efficacy against severe dengue. Challenges such as insecticide resistance and climate variability underscore the need for adaptive surveillance and cross-sector collaboration. Innovations in mobile health tools and sterile insect techniques further optimized vector control, achieving > 90% reductions in mosquito populations, compared with baseline densities before intervention.

Effective Aedes mosquito management against DF requires community engagement, surveillance, and innovative control methods. Successful strategies from selected countries highlight the importance of interventions, ongoing research, and public education to reduce disease risks. Continuous research, collaboration across sectors, and public awareness are necessary to reduce Aedes mosquitoes’ risks and protect public health from vector-borne diseases.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41182-025-00890-7.