Economic development, ecosystem modifications, and merging infectious diseases risk evaluation” ecomore project risk of Vector-Borne disease in relation to rubber plantations in Lao PDR. (ECOMORE Project)

Project leader :
Julie-Anne Tangena MSc, medical entomologist
Phoutmany Thammavong, MD, medical entomologist

Funding of the project :
AFD, Agence Française de Développement

Partners:
NAFRI, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute

 Description of the project and objectives:
The area of land cultivated for rubber is expanding rapidly in Lao PDR. We anticipate that the changes in ecology from primary and secondary rainforest, to rubber cultivation and the maturation of these rubber trees is likely to result in an altered risk from vector-borne diseases; predominantly malaria, dengue and chikungunya. It is envisaged that this study will provide an opportunity to understand the vector ecology in rubber plantations and be able to advise organizations on how to decrease vector-borne disease incidence. Furthermore this study could give more detailed insight in the reasons for malaria increasing in Lao PDR. This study will be of relevance to public health workers, governments and those working in the rubber industries of Lao PDR and other countries in SEA.
Overall goal: To assess the potential risk of vector-borne disease infections arising in rubber plantations

This project has 4 objectives:
1. Determine whether vector mosquito diversity and abundance differs in the different habitats
2. Establish the relative proportion of mosquitoes infected with dengue, chikungunya and malaria
3. Understand when and where forest workers are exposed to vectors of malaria.
4. Provide advice on how to decrease exposure of forest workers to vector-borne diseases.
Figure 1: Rubber plantation in Khamouane province, Lao PDR (A) Rubber tree with collecting cup (B) Rubber plantation (C) Cutting of rubbertree for tapping

Results :

 

 

Publications :

 

 

 

 

 

image_pdfimage_print