AMMREN

2010-04-01T01:12:00.000-07:00

Insecticide treated wall linings to prevent malaria
By ODERA WYCLIFFE

The Kenya Medical Research Institute, KEMRI, and the Centre for Disease Control, CDC, are analyzing the practicability of using durable insecticide treated wall linings as a preventive mosquito control mechanism.

Picture of the durable wall lining

If successful, the new project will mark the magnificent entry of a new preventive approach in the fight against the malaria scourge in Africa.

The research, expected to last a year in selected villages near Lake Victoria, is testing the strength, and abilities of durable wall linings in controlling mosquitoes.

According to George Olang’, of the Entomology Department of the
KEMRI/CDC Malaria branch, the interior walls and all the eaves of houses, are completely covered with the insecticide treated durable wall linings, and a systematic monitoring of the mosquito population is done through pyrethrum spraycollection.

Mr. Olang stressed that despite the study’s short duration, confessions from the involved
communities on the evident reduction in mosquito population in the their houses is a clear indication that the durable wall linings method could be the next ‘Big Shot’ in the Fight against
malaria, if proven to be cost effective.

He noted that this method seems easier to manage, and more effective compared to other methods like Insecticide residual spraying, adding, that the insecticide used
in treating the wall linings ,deltermethrine, can last for a whole year .
It only requires contact with direct sunlight for ‘recharge’.