Global insecticide use for vector-borne disease control -- 4th Edition

Overview

Vector control constitutes an important element in the current global strategy for the control of major vector-borne diseases, and chemical control remains an important element in an integrated approach to vector control. In order to support the development of pesticide products to control vectors, facilitate the judicious use of insecticides and effectively manage insecticide resistance, there is a need to develop pesticide management systems based on regular monitoring and reporting of insecticide use by different vector-borne disease control programmes.

An attempt has been made to document the use of insecticides for vector control at the global level by WHO, which could form the basis for the following:

• development of guidelines on safe and effective use of insecticides;
• development of guidelines for management of insecticide resistance;
• international agreements for use of insecticides (e.g. of DDT, re-registration of insecticides in certain countries and how that may affect their international use);
• investment for development of alternative tools for vector control;
• review and formulation of policies for insecticide usage at different levels (national, regional and global levels).

This document is a continuation of such effort. It contains information on the global use of insecticides for control of vector-borne diseases for the reporting period 2006 and 2007, as well as case studies of long-term trends of such usage in some countries.