Ecobreves – CUBA: Biopesticides Combat Malaria in Africa

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HAVANA, Jul 4 2011 (IPS) - An integrated anti-malaria program being carried out in a number of African countries with Cuban biological products and technology is yielding good results, according to the Cuban state-run pharmaceutical company Labiofam. Ana Lidia Fraga, director of exports at Labiofam, told Tierramérica that Bactivec and Griselesf, two biolarvicides manufactured by Labiofam, are being used to control the spread of malaria, a significant cause of death in the region where the program is being undertaken.

The larvacides serve to eradicate the mosquitoes that spread the disease, and since they are made with naturally occurring substances, they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment. In order to expand production of the products, a plant is currently being built in Tanzania, and another is planned for South Africa.