Manto hails DDT against malaria

2003-04-10 23:46

Durban - Health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang urged countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to use the insecticide DDT to combat malaria, saying it had reduced the number of malaria cases in South Africa by 42%, SABC radio news reported.

Tshabala-Msimang, who was speaking at the launch of the "Racing Against Malaria" Campaign in Ndomu, KwaZulu-Natal made the recommendation despite the frequent arguments that DDT is dangerous for the environment.

According to the report, the campaign would also be taken to other SADC countries before ending in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on April 25 - Africa Malaria Day.

Malaria is one of the top five killers on the continent.

DDT was banned in the early 1990s in South Africa, but it was later re-listed for restricted use against malaria sectors after it was found that the substitute chemical was not as effective.

- SAPA