Team Members: Kellen Chen, Helen Wan, Richard Hwang
Capstone Client: Bryan Greenhouse, MD, Assistant Adjunct Professor at UCSF
Purpose:
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Millions are infected with malaria each year, and the majority of cases occur in underdeveloped countries in Africa such as Uganda. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are an inexpensive way to reduce malaria transmission, but the increase of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes has reduced in efficacy of these nets. Our team designed an insecticide-free, durable, low-cost method to divert mosquitoes away from humans that could be used in Ugandan households to reduce the prevalence of malaria. Our device is a hanging trap that attracts mosquitoes using soiled clothing such as a dirty sock. This method uses a natural, renewable attractant that is supplied by the user, allowing it to be easily and cheaply deployed in developing countries.