Yaounde Initiative Foundation» Hans Dobson

New publication in Parasites and Vectors

Hans Dobson — Tue, 29 May 2018 13:11:25 +0000

Using data from the Cameroon blackfly control and monitoring work, along with other field data, a model has been developed by Maria-Gloria Basañez and colleagues at the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London. The work was published by Routledge et al. with several YIF co-authors, in the journal Parasites and Vectors in May 2018 – see https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2864-y The conclusion was that onchocerciasis elimination may not be achieved with annual ivermectin distribution in all endemic foci. Complementary and alternative treatment strategies (ATS), including vector control, will be necessary.

New River Blindness publication

Hans Dobson — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:35:49 +0000

YIF has published a new paper entitled “River blindness – A neglected disease transmitted by blackflies (Simulium spp.)” by Jane Che et al. It is available at https://bit.ly/2JUhcGf. YIF continues to provide support to the Cameroon government on larviciding for blackfly control.

Graham Matthews technical support

Hans Dobson — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 13:54:49 +0000

Professor Graham Matthews visited Cameroon in 2017 on behalf of ACTIS to develop an update on what was being done to alleviate the biting of blackflies – a major constraint to productivity. The photo is of the outflow from the Songloulou Dam, showing the enormous volume of turbulent, oxygenated water, ideal for development of Simulium blackfly larvae. Engineering solutions would be a more efficient approach than curative actions later.

YIF commissioned to assess COTCO mosquito control

Hans Dobson — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:36:55 +0000

In November 2014, Professor Graham Matthews visited Cameroon on behalf of the Cameroon Oil Transportation Company (COTCO) to carry out an evaluation of their malaria mosquito control practices at two pumping stations; Dompta in north Cameroon; and Belabo in the east of Cameroon to evaluate the control methods currently used and to recommend future action. At both locations the mosquitoes are resistant to the pyrethroid insecticides used on long lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLITNs) and are the only insecticide type currently used to impregnate bed nets. As the insects are resistant to this chemical, an insecticide with an alternative mode of action is needed for indoor residual spraying (IRS), e.g. pirimiphos methyl (Actellic) or bendiocarb. Professor Matthews gave advice on improved Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) methods and technology, as well as other transmission prevention measures.

Nigerian and Cameroonian study tour to CleanFarms Ghana

Hans Dobson — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:48:57 +0000

Staff involved in CleanFarms Cameroon and CleanFarms Nigeria visited Ghana for a study tour from 12 – 16 September 2011. They benefited greatly from observing first hand the safeguarding obsolete pesticides in Ghana. The Ghanaian team are now very experienced and demonstrated how to zone the working area, to use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and to repackage the obsolete products safely for storage and eventual transportation for disposal by high temperature incineration. They also saw pilot collection schemes for empty pesticide containers near Kumasi and took the opportunity to visit a wonderful waterfall en route from Kumasi to Tamale – see picture.

YIF Meeting of the Board of Trustees at Imperial College London

Hans Dobson — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:34:56 +0000

Dr Pierre Baleguel visited England 11 – 15 May 2011 for a Trustees Board Meeting with the other Directors of YIF, Professor Graham Matthews, Terry Wiles and Hans Dobson. Discussions were productive and plans were updated for the remainder of 2011 and 2012. The opportunity was also taken to hold a meeting on the CropLife CleanFarms project.

CleanFarms Cameroon outreach rolls out

Hans Dobson — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:08:58 +0000

The outreach campaign for CleanFarms Cameroon – the CropLife funded project to identify, safeguard and eventually rid Cameroon of obsolete pesticides – is going well. Temporary project staff have been trained in all sub-Divisions and printed information materials are being distributed nationwide advising obsolete stocks holders how they can register with the project and surrender their stocks without cost or liability. The Yaounde Initiative Foundation is the implementing agency for this project, but is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FAO and the Natural Resources Institute in UK.