Alnwick, D.

Cham, M. K.

Guillet, P.

Heymann, D.

Mukelabai, K.

Neira, M.

Zaim, M.

PubMed

Guillet, P

Alnwick, D

Cham, MK

Neira, M

Zaim, M

Heymann, D

Mukelabai, K

LSHTM Research Online

Guillet, P; Alnwick, D; Cham, MK; Neira, M; Zaim, M; Heymann,D; Mukelabai, K (2001) Long-lasting treated mosquito nets: a break-through in malaria prevention. Bulletin of the World Health Organi-zation, 79 (10). p. 998. ISSN 0042-9686Downloaded from: http://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/2113/DOI:Usage GuidelinesPlease refer to usage guidelines at http://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/policies.html or alterna-tively contact researchonline@lshtm.ac.uk.Available under license: Copyright the publishersLettersLong-lasting treated mosquitonets: a breakthrough inmalaria preventionEditor – Regardless of views expressedrecently in the Bulletin (1–2), insecticide-treated mosquito nets are currently theonly viable option to prevent malariatransmission in large parts of Africa.To be effective, mosquito nets have tobe treated by dipping them in suitableinsecticides at least once a year. Lessthan 5% of the nets currently used inAfrica are properly treated or re-treated.Looking for practical solutions, WHOstimulated industry to produce long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets(LLNs), using new bioactive fabrictechnologies. Long-lasting nets aretreated only once, at factory level. Theinsecticide can resist multiple washesand is released over time to the surfaceof the netting fibres. The major criteriafor LLNs is that efficacy should last aslong as the average lifespan of the net,i.e. 4–5 years. Compared with netstreated by conventional dipping, LLNshave several important advantages: noneed for re-treatment; reduced insecti-cide consumption; and minimumpotential environmental impact: releaseof insecticide in natural water bodiesduring washing is greatly reduced.There are two LLNs commerciallyavailable, currently being evaluatedthrough the WHO Pesticide EvaluationScheme (WHOPES). R&D is crucialin further improving the technology.Second-generation LLNs are nowemerging with even better performance.They are major technical breakthroughs,significantly changing prospects forsuccessful implementation of ITNprogrammes, especially in Africa.To protect the most vulnerablegroups in Africa (children under five,pregnant women and people livingbelow the poverty line) and to meet theobjective set by the Heads of State ofAfrican countries in Abuja (60% of netcoverage by 2005), it is estimated thata total of 115million nets will be needed.To reach full coverage, ideally by the year2007, an additional 97 million netswill be needed and maintenance of thiscoverage after 2007 will require 28 to30 million nets per year. Protection ofthe whole population at risk of malaria inAfrica would require about twice thesenumbers.When envisaging further develop-ment of LLNs, it is important toinvolve the net industry in Africa andto facilitate technology transfer.Strengthening production capacity ofLLNs in Africa and further reducing theprice through well-targeted public–private partnerships will be an effectiveway to go to scale, reduce the malariaburden, and contribute to povertyalleviation. It also offers an opportunityto African countries to develop aprofitable ITN economy and to playan increasing role in global efforts toroll back malaria. nConflicts of interest: none declared.P. Guillet, D. Alnwick, M.K. Cham,M. Neira, M. Zaim, D. HeymannWHO Programme on Communicable Diseases,World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27,Switzerland (email: guilletp@who.int)K. MukelabaiUNICEF, New York1. Curtis CF, Mnzava AEP. Comparison ofhouse spraying and insecticide-treated nets formalaria control. Bulletin of the World HealthOrganization, 2000, 78: 1389–1400.2. Curtis CF, Mnzava AEP. Treated nets vshouse spraying. Bulletin of the World HealthOrganization, 2001, 79: 687.Contributions are welcome for the Letters section, in response to articles that have appeared in theBulletin or on matters of major public health importance. Letters are usually between 400 and850 words, with a maximum of six references; they will be edited and may be shortened.We prefer to receive all responses electronically, either sent to the editorial office (by email:bulletin@who.int or on diskette) or submitted through our web site.Authors should give their current appointments and full addresses, with a telephone or faxnumber or email address for the corresponding author. We ask authors to declare any conflict ofinterest.998 # World Health Organization 2001 Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 2001, 79 (10)

Long-lasting treated mosquito nets: a breakthrough in malaria prevention.

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Long-lasting treated mosquito nets: a breakthrough in malaria prevention.

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