Bt Research 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 223-231 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/bt 225 Figure 1 (A) Location of the experimental sites in Ruhuha, southeast Rwanda. (B) Training of community representatives for spraying of Bti. (C) Spraying of Bti using knapsack sprayers in the irrigated rice fields (Adopted from Hakizimana et al., 2022) 3.3 Limitations and challenges in sustaining efficacy Despite the promising results, there are several limitations and challenges in sustaining the efficacy of Bt-based mosquito control programs. One major challenge is the need for continuous and consistent application to maintain effectiveness. The long-term success of biological larviciding with Bti requires regular treatments to ensure that mosquito populations do not rebound (Dambach et al., 2020). The variability in environmental conditions can affect the stability and persistence of biological agents like Wolbachia, necessitating ongoing monitoring and adaptation of strategies. Community-based programs may face challenges related to resource allocation, community participation, and the scalability of interventions (Hladish et al., 2018). Addressing these challenges is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of Bt-based mosquito control programs. 4 Public Health Implications of Bt-Based Mosquito Control 4.1 Impact on mosquito-borne disease transmission Bt-based mosquito control programs have shown significant potential in reducing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Zika virus. Studies have demonstrated that targeted biological interventions, including the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), can effectively reduce mosquito populations and subsequently lower disease incidence. For instance, a systematic review of cluster randomized controlled trials (cRCTs) highlighted that interventions like mass adult trapping and source reduction were associated with statistically significant reductions in disease transmission and entomological indicators (Oliver et al., 2021). Additionally, the deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which is another biological control strategy, has shown promise in reducing the transmission of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses in field trials
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