Management and Application of Public Health insecticides in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

1. Management and Application of Public Health insecticides in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia First Regional Meeting of GEF –Supported countries in EMR Muscat, Oman, 6-8 March 2006 By: Suleiman M. Al Seghayer Assistant Director General for parasitic Diseases and Director of Malaria Department Ministry of Health (MOH) Saudi Arabia

2. Control measures currently in use House spraying: DDT -until 1986 Fenitrithion 40% WP 1987-1991 Primiphos methyl 50EC 1992-1994 lambdacyhalothrin (10% EC) 1995-2001 Deltamethrin.25% 2001 up to date Larviciding operations: ( temephos 50%, 1% granules – Insect G. R. (pyriproxyfen 1% granules & diflubenzuron 4% wp& 4% granules) - (BTI 1200IU/MG) – larvivorous fish (Limited locations)

3. Control measures currently in use Space spraying: using pyrethroids (ULV and fogging) Distribution of ITNs in endemic areas -one million bed nets in five years Source reduction methods Health education Training

4. Public Health insecticides Management Registration, legislation, and licensing All public health insecticides are registered, legislated and licensed through SASO. MOH is not responsible for legislation and licensing MOH… selects quantities and types of public health insecticides (vector control) A certificate of analysis for any insecticide should be suppmitted by the supplier

5. Application, disposal and quality control of insecticides MOH through vector control department follows the WHO recommendations regarding application and disposal of insecticides The quality control of insecticides is monitored by the Saudi Arabia Standards Organization (SASO ). Each insecticide used for vector control must be recommended by the WHO Before using any recommended insecticide for vector control, must be tested and evaluated MOH is responsible for disposal of the expired public health insecticides, which have been used by its vector control units

6. Formulation and re-packaging There are four factories manufacturing pesticides for public health and agriculture applications Each factory has its own formulation procedure according to the manufacturers’ specification MOH follows the WHO specifications regarding insecticides safety and efficacy There is no re-packaging in K.S. A.

7. Storage, transport and distribution There are no specific legislation in place for storage of insecticides Annual needs of insecticides are procured through the tender committee of the MOH (central tendering process) 10% of the supplies of insecticides are stored in the MOH store for emergency needs The remaining 90% is distributed to vector control units in the Regions and Provinces

8. Monitoring insecticide resistance Monitoring for insecticide resistance is done regularly as a part of the evaluation measures In 1982, strains of Anopheles arabiensis and A. sergenti were subjected to tests and found susceptible to DDT In 1987 , resistant to DDT was reported leading to suspension of DDT During 2003 –2005 susceptibility tests carried out on adult Culex and larvae gave the following results:

9. -For larvae: High level resistance towards temephos was reported recently for Culex (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) in Jazan Region A. molticolor was found susceptible to temephos A. arabiensis was not tested due to scarcity (small numbers collected) With WHO support this activity is being strengthened (provision of test supplies and technical support) cont…Monitoring insecticide resistance

10. Public health insecticides used in Saudi Arabia 1997-2002 (A)

11. Public health insecticides used in Saudi Arabia 2003-2005 (B)

12. Public health insecticides used in Saudi Arabia 1996-2002 (B)

13. Monitoring of insecticides poisoning Cholinesterase tests are carried out regularly for both workers and inhabitants/residents and no cases of poisoning reported

14. The challenges facing pesticides management in S.A. Several units use pesticides (Agriculture, Municipalities, MOH, private sectors etc.) and there is no specific body for monitoring insecticides resistance Some units using pesticides don’t have enough facilities to monitor the use of insecticides The responsibility of pesticides management is distributed among ministries and governmental organizations with no coordination

15. Prospective malaria and other vector borne diseases control Ensure standardized insecticide policy in the Kingdom Develop insecticide resistance monitoring (sentinel sites) strategies with the support of WHO and concerned organization Strengthening of the early warning system for vector-borne diseases prediction Strengthening border cooperation with the Republic of Yemen Main target is elimination of malaria from Saudi Arabia and Arabian peninsula

16. Thank You