[Anti-Aedes aegypti campaign in French Guiana]

Abstract

The history of vector control in French Guiana started in 1947 when a small team was recruited for that purpose. In 1949, the first DDT treatments were implemented and Aedes aegypti could not be found until 1960. Between 1966 and 1972 an eradication campaign was carried out which resulted in the elimination of Ae. aegypti from all the department except the city of Cayenne. Malathion and orthodibrom were used as adulticides and temephos (Abate) was sprayed against the larvae. Nevertheless, in 1980, Ae. aegypti was still infesting Cayenne and its surroundings. The pilot project of the "Cité Grant" was developed, but never gave the expected results. In 1986, the vector control agency called "Service départmental de désinfection" was restructured and extended. During the 1990s, collaborations were developed between the different health participants of French Guiana, to improve disease control. Actually, the vector control activities include house inspections, mainly to detect, treat or eliminate the breeding-sources, and also to set up entomological indices. Furthermore, investigations are made on the laboratory confirmed dengue cases to find and treat the place of infection, spatial sprayings are made against the adults, and the community health education has being reinforced. The situation in French Guiana is not optimistic for climatic and logistical reasons, and the lack of participation from the community. The perspectives are to improve vector control through education, collaborations with local authorities, reorganisation of the control teams and regional exchanges.