INSECTICIDE res. spray. (α-cypermethrin, Fendona) 500ml, SC

Public health insecticide for residual spraying (= IRS), used against mosquitoes, flies, fleas, bedbugs and cockroaches.

Insecticide with residual effect, available in 2 formulations:

suspension concentrate (SC)

• Intended for smooth impermeable surfaces: plastic sheeting, tent canvas, oil-based paint
• Packaging: 500 ml or 1 litre bottles
• Required dosing unit should be diluted in water to obtain 10 litres of product, covering a surface of 250 m²

wettable powder (WP)

• Intended for rough, permeable surfaces: concrete, plaster, clay, bricks, water-based paint
• Packaging: water-soluble sachets
• 2- 8 sachet dissolved in 10 litre of water covers 250 m²

The duration of the residual effect of public health pesticides depends on the product as well as the type of substrate used for spraying, as shown in the table below:

Both the insecticide and the spraying equipment must be approved by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES), and staff must be fully protected.

When choosing an active ingredient, contact your technical referent for advice. Resistance of mosquitoes to certain active ingredients, non- compatibility of the active ingredient with other activities, availability of products and also incoherence of legislation in different countries can turn the choice of a product into a complicated procedure. Also in addition to the active ingredients listed above, new products are foreseen to enter the market.

Do not use products having pyrethroids as an active ingredient in contexts where pyrethroid- impregnated mosquito nets are used.

Staff must be properly trained and appropriate protective equipment must be provided and utilised systematically.

Use wettable powder only for its intended use. Do not use wettable powder to impregnate nets, or on clothes to eliminate body lice.

See "Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010:

• T.B. 7.17 Impregnation of nets, clothing and curtains
• T.B. 7.18 Insecticidal dusting, for appropriate products.

Dosage: see table above for recommended dose of active ingredient per m².

See "Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010: T.B. 7.15 Insecticide Residual Spraying campaign, for specific calculations.

​Effective vector control measures must be implemented in all MSF projects located in malaria-endemic zones.

Vector control activities must be planned and organized with the help of specialists in order to correctly define the species of the vector present and the type of product to be used.

For advice on the specific application method, see the guide "Public Health Engineering in Precarious Situations", MSF, 2nd edition, 2010, chapter T.B. 7.14 Insecticide residual sprayer, and/or contact your technical department.

The spraying of insecticides at the recommended strengths poses little or no risk if the appropriate precautions are taken to protect both the staff involved in vector control and the community concerned.

Exposure of skin, especially mucous membranes, to deltamethrin can cause temporary tingling and a burning sensation known as paraesthesia. Toxicologically this has no significance beyond the immediate discomfort.

Caution

The application of an insecticide must always be carried out after agreement with the local authorities. In some countries application of insecticides can only be carried out by staff holding a valid license or certification from the government.

The purchase and use of some active ingredients listed above is prohibited in some regions. Consult your technical referent for more information.

Prior to application of an insecticide the population must be informed properly of the nature of the activity, its benefits and risks.