Aim: This paper assesses the economic value of genetically engineered (GE) Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes as a malaria control strategy.
Main Methods: We use an epidemiological-economic model of malaria transmission to evaluate this technology for a range of village-level transmission settings. In each setting, we evaluate public health outcomes following introduction of GE mosquitoes relative to a “status quo” baseline scenario. We also assess results both in contrast to—and in combination with—a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) strategy.
Main Results: We find that—in low transmission settings—the present value public health benefits of GE mosquito release are substantial, both relative to status quo dynamics and MDA. In contrast, in high transmission settings, the release of GE mosquitoes may increase steady-state infection rates.
Conclusions and Implications: Our results indicate that there are substantial policy complementarities when GE mosquito release is combined with local MDA—the combined control strategy can lead to local eradication.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Comments (0)