The fight against mosquito-borne diseases in Europe may have found a new ally in the form of anti-mosquito insecticidal paint. Researchers in Cape Verde have tested three such paints on the walls of homes to combat the spread of diseases like dengue and Zika virus, with promising results.
The study, published in Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, involved 228 families in the capital city of Praia. After one, three, six, and twelve months, researchers found that one of the paints, known as VESTA, was able to eliminate at least 80% of mosquitoes even after a year. This long-lasting effectiveness is due to the paint releasing small quantities of insecticide over time, making it a sustainable and ecological solution.
While there were no serious adverse effects on residents’ health, some reported minor irritations like nose or eye irritation and headaches. Despite the success against the A. Egyptian mosquitoes, the researchers also see potential for this insecticidal paint to be a weapon against malaria, another deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Although the paint must be applied carefully in two layers to maintain its effectiveness, the researchers are hopeful about its potential to combat various mosquito-borne diseases. The next steps involve expanding the project, known as TINTAEDES, to other neighborhoods in Praia and eventually to new areas in Cape Verde.
As longer and hotter summers bring new mosquito species to Europe and increase the risk of disease transmission, innovative solutions like this anti-mosquito paint offer hope in the fight against these deadly infections.