Abstract:

The Sequential Aerosol Technique (SAT) is a method of tsetse fly control which uses aerial
application to apply several very low doses of insecticide as tiny drops. Aerial spraying is
one of several techniques currently used to control tsetse fly. Other methods include the
use of insecticide-treated, odour-baited targets, ground spraying in which selected vegetation
is treated with insecticide, direct spraying of cattle with insecticide, or dosing cattle
with prophylactic drugs to suppress the disease (nagana) carried by the flies. Methods
based on large-scale clearing of vegetation which may provide tsetse habitat, or culling of
wild animals which may be reservoir hosts, are no longer considered acceptable.
The selection of a control method involves many factors. Cost is clearly an important
element, but if human epidemics of sleeping sickness occur, the urgency of the problem
may override financial considerations. The choice is also dependent on topographic
factors and the local infrastructure; reasonably level terrain is required for aerial spraying,
whereas a network of suitable roads is required for ground-based techniques.