•Says 80% world population at risk
From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
A professor of Parasitology and Vector Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), Prof. Muhammad Danladi Abubakar Bunza, has advocated the usage of plants with insecticidal potential to control vectors capable of causing diseases.
Bunza stated this while delivering the first inaugural lecture of the university titled “Global war against pathogens: understanding vector bionomics identification and control – an insight into the world disease control”, witnessed by many university lecturers across Nigeria.
He noted that vector-born diseases were major contributors to the global disease burden that causes substantial morbidity and mortality, accounting for 17% of all infectious diseases and over 700,000 attributable deaths.
Bunza also said that these vectors put 80% of the world’s population at risk if they are not controlled effectively.
The professor, who identified various vectors and pathogens, their transmitters, strength and weaknesses, noted that once their routes and life cycle were broken, controlling the prevalence of diseases would be achieved to the barest minimum.
According to him, “Besides chemical insecticides, plants with insecticidal potentials can control vectors. Likewise, chemical insecticides (growth regulators) that temper the developmental stages of insects can be used to prevent them from metamorphosis from larvae to pupae or pupae to adults.
“Biological control agents (natural enemies of vectors) can also be employed. Biolarvicides, bacteria, viral, fungal, algal and larvivorous fishes can kill vectors at larval stages. Apart from being harmless to non-target organisms, this has no adverse effect on the environment and is less costly than the chemical method.
“Use of phytotherapeutic methods is another strategy to be employed. Various plants extracts such as Khaya semegalensis, Azadirachta indica, Phytolocca dodecandra, Ambrosia maritime and Allium sativum have been tried at least experimentally under laboratory conditions to indicate evidence of efficacy against insects, molluscs and vertebrate vectors like rodents and bats.”
Bunza also noted that the usage of engineering control, integrated Vector Control (IVC) or Integrated Vector Management, remains major solutions to vector control stressed to that this steps involved using all known control measures.
He advised that further research needed to be done on understanding improved means of detecting disease – causing agents within vectors, training of more personnels at all levels of research.
“As for malaria Vector Control, based on the results of USAID/PMI/Vectorlink Mosquito control Research conducted in Biological Sciences Laboratory, FUBK, Kebbi State, reports of 2019, 2020 and 2921 suggested that out of the four pyrethriod insecticides used insecticides resistance/susceptibility tests, deltamethrin has been found more effective in control of mosquitoes for it showed 100%mortality of mosquitoes within 60 minutes.”
Earlier, the Vice- Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mohammad Zayyanu Umar noted that since inception of the institution nine years ago, it has grown from six faculties up to offering of masters’ degrees among others.
Umar promised that the management of the university would continue to support lecturers and staffs of FUBK to showcase their knowledge to the general public through inaugural lectures and others channels for the benefits of the general public.