Specıal Plastıc Networks Are Fıghtıng Wıth Malaria
According to the World Health Organization, in 2008 there were approximately 250 million cases of malaria worldwide. An estimated one million people die each year in Africa, mostly due to malaria. Malaria-bearing mosquitoes were stopped by specially produced plastic nets with insecticide and saved countless lives. And it has been one of the most cost-effective methods of preventing the spread of the disease. With the increase in technology and opportunities, these networks are more effective.
Even the net, which we call mosquito net, has actually proven to be useful in the fight against malaria alone. Because most infections occur at night, the nets hang over the beds to form a barrier between mosquitoes and humans and act as a protection shield around. However, nets produced by specially blending with pesticides are 50% more effective.
The first example of these networks is insecticide treated net (ITNs) developed in the 1980s, which repels disease-bearing mosquitoes and is even washed with insecticides. The lifetime of the first generation ITNs was just over six months. Although networks are dipped several times, the process poses a major logistical problem in rural areas where travel costs and travel distance are prohibited. Because the produced material had to reach quickly and started to be used without losing its effect.
Thanks to new technologies, it is possible to produce long-lasting insecticide nets (LLIN) which have been effective for about five years. Polyester (plastic fiber) nets bind the insecticide to the surface of the nets. Polyethylene (another plastic fiber) webs incorporate insecticide into the material. Field tests have shown that both webs can be washed and reused at least 20 times and still retain their effectiveness.
To further help, companies like BASF and Bayer are producing new kits to process pesticides into networks. And they are trying to make the kits more easily accessible. These kits enable the conversion of pre-treated plastic webs into life-saving LLINs.
Fortunately, at least mosquitoes in cities do not have such serious diseases. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And I have never seen such a product in our country, if there is no spray, standard pesticides, plugs. I would also like to say personally that mosquitoes are my enemies, and certainly, at least in the summer, if there is such a product that we can attach to our balcony door it would be great. It doesn’t stop you from entering, but stop completely. Because they somehow surpass the standard mosquito nets.
