Net loss? Agrochemicals and insecticide resistance in the fight against malaria
In Africa, a combination of better medicines and the widespread use of insecticides to kill mosquitoes has led to the decline in malaria cases and deaths. Millions of people in places like Dano are living longer, healthier lives because of this public health campaign. They are also more prosperous when they are malaria free, because the disease keeps kids home from school, prevents adults from working, and forces poor families to spend money on health care. However, in recent years more than three dozen countries have reported confirmed resistance of Anopheles mosquitoes to pyrethroids, the only class of insecticide currently used on bed nets (which are a key element of malaria prevention) and, until recently, the primary class used in indoor residual sprays.