Personal Protection

Abstract

Insecticide impregnated bed nets for the control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases have been used successfully in several regions: China, Thailand, Latin America and in some African countries. Within one decade, work on insecticide impregnated bed nets and curtains has grown from small scale tests, to the operational use of more than 10 million treated nets (WHO, 1996). The concept is to place a small quantity of a fast acting insecticide of low mammalian toxicity directly in the path of the host seeking mosquito. Regarding the safety and acceptability of this method of mosquito protection, it was stated by WHO that properly treated bed nets should pose no hazard to those who use them. As a result of its low mammalian acute oral toxicity, low dermal toxicity, low volatility, and its high efficacy, permethrin has been widely used for bed net impregnation.