Interventions for the control of diarrhoeal diseases among young children : fly control

The effects of fly control measures on diarrhoea morbidity and mortality is analysed, and interventions to reduce fly population are reviewed. Although the evidence examined suggested that flies are able to transmit enteric pathogens from faeces to human beings via food or drink, the extent to which this takes place is unclear. It is noted that long-term, environmentally safe fly control is difficult to achieve and sustain. Effective methods for short-term control, which involve the use of insecticides, are unsafe for humans and other animals. The available evidence suggests that fly control is not feasible in many settings and that, even if successfully implemented, it is not a cost-effective intervention for national diarrhoeal disease control programmes. [Shortened author's abstract].