Sumitomo Chemical and the Fight Against Malaria Using Bednets: A Case Study

Abstract

Malaria is still a major cause of illness and death in developing countries around the world. Approximately half of the world's population is at risk of malaria, especially children under age 5 and pregnant women. Nearly one million people died of the disease in 2008, mostly children living in Africa. Malaria is caused by parasites that are spread to people through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, called ""malaria vectors"", which bite mainly between dusk and dawn. Malaria is a preventable disease. ""Vector control"", eliminating or keeping away the mosquitos that transmit the disease, can help prevent infections. Today, the main instruments for vector control are Indoor-Residual Spraying (IRS), where walls are sprayed with insecticide, and the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs), a special type of bednet that contains insecticide and does not need to be retreated.