Vector control. Methods for use by individuals and communities
Geneva, World Health Organization, 1997, prepared by Dr Jan A. Rozendaal
ISBN 92 4 154494 5
The development and production of this manual have been an enormous task.
Relevant information has been assembled on the control of disease vectors, reservoir
species and household pests with the specific objective of providing practical
guidance to non-professionals. The target species addressed in this book and the
control methods described have been selected for an audience of individuals and
communities whose potential contribution to vector control is considerable, but
may be restricted by factors such as lack of financial resources and limited education.
The decision-making structure of the community and control activities
undertaken by local health services are also important in determining which
control methods are appropriate.
Most of the research, data collection and field visits needed for this book were
carried out by Dr Jan A. Rozendaal between 1988 and 1991. The resulting draft
manuscript was then reviewed by various specialists in vector-borne disease control,
who made a number of suggestions for changes to the text. In preparing the
final manuscript, Dr Rozendaal has incorporated information on new developments
in vector control to ensure that the text is as up to date as possible.
This book is particularly timely, since it appears as vector control is coming to
depend less on large-scale control programmes organized by governments and
more on community participation at the local level. In addition, it is now clear that
many of the traditional methods used to prevent and control vector-borne and
other infectious diseases are either incorrectly applied or no longer effective.
Under the combined pressures of economic development, environmental and
demographic changes, and increasing human migration, diseases are reappearing
in new environments or are re-emerging in more virulent forms. Many of the
agents of these diseases have become resistant to commonly used drugs or their
vectors have developed resistance to pesticides. The methods described in this
book, especially those directed at permanent modifications of housing and other
components of the living environment, will help to prevent and control these
diseases, which hinder economic progress and affect the well-being of populations
in many parts of the world.
Dr K. Behbehani
Director, Division of Control of Tropical Diseases
English version