A mosquito net is a net used to prevent mosquitoes from biting,[1] and the material may also be refered to simply as mosquito netting. Mosquito nets are effective at preventing the transmission of malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and various forms of encephalitis, including the West Nile virus,[2] if used properly and especially if treated with an insecticide, which can double effectiveness.
History edit
Mosquito netting has a long history. Though use of the term dates from the mid 1700s,[1] use of mosquito nets has been dated to prehistroric times. It is said that Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, also slept under a mosquito net.[3] Mosquito nets were used during the malaria-plagued construction of the Suez Canal.[3]
Construction edit
Mosquito net can be made from cotton, polyethylene, polyester, or nylon.[4] A mesh size of 1.2 mm stops mosquitoes, and smaller, such as 0.6 mm, stops other biting insects such as no-see-ums.[5]
Usage edit
Mosquito netting can be hung over beds, from the ceiling or a frame, built into tents, or installed in windows and doors. When hung over beds, rectangular nets provide more room for sleeping without the danger of netting contacting skin, at which point mosquitoes may bite through untreated netting.[6]
Treatment with insecticde edit
Insecticide-treated nets (ITN) are estimated to be twice as effective as untreated nets,[7] and offer greater than 70% protection compared with no net.[8]
The distribution of mosquito nets impregnated with insecticides such as permethrin or deltamethrin has been shown to be an extremely effective method of malaria prevention, and it is also one of the most cost-effective methods of prevention. These nets can often be obtained for around $2.50–$3.50 (2–3 euros) from the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), and others. ITNs have been shown to be the most cost-effective prevention method against malaria and are part of WHO’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
For maximum effectiveness, the nets should be re-impregnated with insecticide every six months. This process poses a significant logistical problem in rural areas. New technologies like Olyset or DawaPlus allow for production of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLINs), which release insecticide for approximately 5 years,[9] and cost about US$5.50. ITNs protect people sleeping under the net and simultaneously kill mosquitoes that contact the net. Some protection is also provided to others by this method, including people sleeping in the same room but not under the net.
References edit
- ^ a b Oxford English Dictionary (draft ed.). Oxford University Press. 2009.
- ^ "All Mosquito Netting Info". Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ a b "History of Malaria Control". Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ "World Health Organization: Annex VII : Procedure for Treating Mosquito Nets and curtains". Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ "Mosquito Netting Criteria". Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ "Travel Health Help: Mosquito Nets". Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ Hull, Kevin. (2006) "Malaria: Fever Wars". PBS Documentary
- ^ Bachou H, Tylleskär T, Kaddu-Mulindwa DH, Tumwine JK (2006). "Bacteraemia among severely malnourished children infected and uninfected with the human immunodeficiency virus-1 in Kampala, Uganda". BMC Infect. Dis. 6: 160. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-6-160. PMC 1660577. PMID 17090299.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ New Mosquito Nets Could Help Fight Malaria in Africa