[afro-nets] Pesticide use for Malaria Control in Africa (24)

[Philip Otienoburu <POtienoburu@ke.cdc.gov>]

Pesticide use for Malaria Control in Africa (24)
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Kija,

Thanks for the insight, though I am a little sceptical about the
efficacy of the fungus you refer to. I assume that the fungus is
targeted towards the immature stages (larvae) and would wish to
know how specific they would be to the larvae. I am aware that
the bacteria species Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTi) is
quite specific and does not cause known environmental damage,
indeed dies off after the larvae are eliminated from the habi-
tat.

Please elucidate further how this fungus operates and whether it
lingers on in the habitats after clearing off the larvae. What
is its potential for wiping out other species from the habitat?

Thanks,

Philip E. Otienoburu
Centers for Disease Prevention
mailto:Potienoburu@ke.cdc.gov