WEAR: WEarable Aedes Repellent Technologies

Ongoing transmission of Zika, dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrates the need for new approaches for control. Researchers at LSHTM are part of a recently funded consortium called ZikaPLAN (Zika Preparedness Latin American Network, funded by the European Union, under its Horizon 2020 research and Innovation programme), developing novel, wearable, protective technologies to protect people against mosquito bites. Through focus groups studies in Colombia and Brazil, they are understanding more about the needs of communities, and the likely acceptability of personal protection methods.

They are then using this information to inform the design of products, such as wash-in repellent detergents for clothing, and long lasting plastic formulations to create bracelets, necklaces, and flip flops: ensuring easy adoption and continuous protection. These technologies can be used by individuals within communities at risk of Aedes borne diseases including Zika, dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya. The products will be trialled in the laboratory and mathematical modelling will be done to determine their anticipated efficacy in the reduction of disease transmission, before moving to large scale field trials.