Mosquito-borne Diseases April 21, 2018

What Are The WHO Guidelines To Prevent Malaria?

Time and again, the World Health Organisation keeps issuing reports highlighting its global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. The director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme, Dr. Pedro Alonso in his recent letter paved the way for a new policy in order to prevent Malaria. Source

The new policy puts emphasis on various vector control tools and technologies as a core prevention method. It includes,

1. Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs)

A net treated with an insecticide can reduce the contact between mosquitoes and humans. Sleeping under this net creates a protective shield around you because it is not just a physical barrier but also has an insecticidal effect. Such nets need to be made more accessible to the communities. Current WHO-recommended LLINs contain pyrethyroid insecticides only. They last for a minimum lifespan of 20 standard washes or 3 years of usage.

2. Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)

This method involves spraying an effective dose of insecticide with a long residual activity. It should be typically done once or twice a year as per requirement. Mosquitoes usually rest on walls and ceilings after biting and thus, the insecticide should be sprayed on these areas.

Source

However, both these methods are time-consuming and need to be implemented with care.

A variety of mosquito repellents can be tried out to prevent their contact with our body and thus, prevent the spread of malaria.

Indoor

1. Goodknight Gold Flash System: It is an electric mosquito repellent that comes with a dual mode advantage. You can shift between the modes depending upon the number of mosquitoes (Normal and Activ mode).
2. Goodknight Power Shots: Spraying one shot in four corners of the room will make you witness instant knockdown action. Goodbye Mosquitoes!
3. Goodknight Power Chip System: Bearing the power of 100 coils, this new repellent is a cost-effective way to keep mosquitoes away. It is a revolutionary electric repellent that is powered by concentrated gel technology with TFT molecules. Its power vapours spread to all corners of the room, leaving behind a pleasing fragrance.

Outdoor

1. Goodknight Fabric Roll-On: Apply 4 dots of the non-staining formula on clothes and stay protected from mosquitoes when you are outside

Fun fact: It is available in two fragrances – bubblegum and citrus.

2. Goodknight Patches: Available in 30 fun designs that can be applied on clothes, one each on upper and lower body. Both of these personal repellents are made using 100% natural ingredients and are paediatrician certified as baby safe, making them absolutely safe to use! For 0 to 2 month old babies, apply these repellents on prams, cots or strollers.

Insect repellents are essential public health tools for the prevention of vector-borne infectious diseases. Technically, an insect repellent is any substance, natural or synthetic, that keeps away insects or other arthropods from the source of repellent. Know how to use mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito-borne diseases here.