Article Dans Une Revue International Journal of Infectious Diseases Année : 2026

Sterile insect technique for suppression of endemic Aedes albopictus in urban Reunion Island: a pilot trial of technical feasibility and entomological impact

Résumé

Background. The sterile insect technique (SIT) has progressed from theory to a validated vector control strategy for Aedes-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of SIT for suppressing Aedes albopictus in small-scale urban environments on Reunion Island. Methods. From July 2021 to September 2022, over 10 million Ae. albopictus males sterilised as pupae with 40 Gy X-rays were released at a 20-hectare pilot site. Weekly releases ranged from 60,000 to 275,000 males (3000–13,750 per hectare). Outcomes were monitored using ovitrap surveillance and periodic adult sampling during a 6-month baseline and a 13-month intervention. Results. Sterile-to-wild male ratios ranged from 6:1 to 18:1. Compared with the control site, the treated site showed a 33.5% reduction in egg abundance and a 61.5% reduction in egg viability (range 40.0–81.9). Reductions in egg fertility were temporally aligned with a 60.4% decline in female abundance relative to baseline. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that SIT was technically and logistically feasible and achieved measurable suppression of Ae. albopictus. Despite scale and operational constraints, the intervention achieved significant reductions in egg fertility and female abundance, providing strong proof of concept for SIT-based mosquito control on Reunion Island.

Fichier principal
Vignette du fichier
PIIS1201971226001311.pdf (3.2 Mo) Télécharger le fichier
1-s2.0-S1201971226001311-mmc2.pdf (567.29 Ko) Télécharger le fichier
mmc1 (6).pdf (176.54 Ko) Télécharger le fichier
Origine Publication financée par une institution
Licence
Origine Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
Licence

Dates et versions

hal-05522527 , version 1 (04-03-2026)

Licence

Identifiants

Citer

Cécile Brengues, Lucie Marquereau, Gilbert Le Goff, Yves Dumont, Franck Remoue, et al.. Sterile insect technique for suppression of endemic Aedes albopictus in urban Reunion Island: a pilot trial of technical feasibility and entomological impact. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2026, 166, pp.108496. ⟨10.1016/j.ijid.2026.108496⟩. ⟨hal-05522527⟩
185 Consultations
60 Téléchargements

Altmetric

Partager

  • More