By Mohit Singhala, PhD
Research Assistant Professor and Lead Engineer, CREATES
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

BBF is facilitating the design, development and deployment of a novel low-cost mosquito trap to aid in malaria vector surveillance efforts in East Africa. A “Lego-like” trap that can be assembled, maintained aims to bring a paradigm shift into how malaria research is performed in East Africa.

Effective mosquito vector surveillance is critical for combatting mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Among the tools available for monitoring mosquito populations, the CDC light trap has been widely utilized, and is the sampling method most often used to understand multiple entomological endpoints and a proxy for Human Landing Catches (HLCs)- the de facto gold standard.

However, its high cost, maintenance challenges, incompatibility with locally available power sources, and lack of scalability have limited its effectiveness, particularly in resource-constrained settings. One of the CDC light trap’s main limitations is its cost, both in procurement and maintenance. The initial investment required for acquiring these traps, often imported from overseas, can be prohibitive for resource-constrained settings. Ongoing costs for replacement parts, such as bulbs and batteries, can strain already limited budgets for vector surveillance programs. Limited access to spare parts further exacerbates these challenges, rendering many traps non-functional for extended periods.

To address these limitations, Mohit Singhala, a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh is collaborating closely with the VectorCAM team at his alma mater, the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID). They have designed a low cost, CDC light trap equivalent, a paradigm shift in mosquito vector surveillance in terms of performance, cost, and a novel, solderless “Lego-like” manufacturing/ assembly methodology. Their current prototype can generate 30% more airflow, 50% more light intensity at larger viewing angles, with 40% less power consumption- all at less nearly one-tenth the landed price of CDC light traps in East Africa.

This new light trap’s implications for vector surveillance in Africa and Asia are significant. Its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and ease of maintenance could make it a game-changer for mosquito vector surveillance. By empowering countries to manufacture, assemble, and maintain the traps, it would foster sustainability and ownership of surveillance efforts. Moreover, its ability to operate in off-grid areas could significantly expand the reach and density of vector surveillance programs. Through BBF’s support, the team will be performing key performance testing in controlled semi-field settings in Tanzania and explore manufacturing opportunities. The team is also exploring the potential household applications of the trap as a vector control instrument.