Malaria vector control. Insecticides for indoor residual spraying

Overview

 The current global malaria strategy includes the selective control of malaria transmission as one of its four main elements. Vector control is the most effective way of controlling malaria transmission. Indoor residual spraying remains the most widely used method of vector control and one of the most effective for obtaining a rapid large-scale impact at an affordable cost.

Residual spraying should be used as part of a coherent malaria control programme whenever:

• it responds to epidemiological indications;
• it can be correctly applied;
• its results can be sustained.

The purpose of this document is to help health authorities and other partners to select suitable insecticides for their malaria control programmes. lt reviews the main characteristics of the insecticides, the entomological, epidemiological and ecological variables, and the operational requirements which should be taken into consideration when making that choice.