Alternatives to DDT

The World Health Assembly, WHO's governing body, has stated that countries should reduce reliance on insecticides for controlling malaria by promoting integrated vector management and other measures, and that DDT should be used only within such an integrated approach.
Alternatives include;
  • case detection and treatment with drugs
  • control of mosquito larva by chemical and non-chemical methods
  • use of chemical substitutes for spraying houses
  • and distribution of bed nets treated with alternative chemicals

Until all nations can transition to effective and affordable alternatives, appropriate mechanisms are necessary to ensure that human health is not compromised as reliance on DDT is reduced.