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5 August 2022
Vector-borne diseases – such as malaria and Dengue fever– are major causes of sickness, disability and death. Prevention relies heavily on the use of insecticides. Due to the long-term and widespread use of insecticide-based vector control interventions, such as nets and indoor spraying, mosquito populations have developed resistance. A new manual from WHO provides updated and integrated guidance on monitoring insecticide resistance in Anopheles, Aedes and Culex mosquito vectors. See, also, our related video.
National malaria programmes are encouraged to carry out routine surveillance assessments to detect gaps and challenges in surveillance and track progress towards surveillance system strengthening. A new WHO malaria surveillance assessment toolkit and accompanying implementation reference guide include – for the first time – a single set of standardized tools that can be used to compare results in surveillance coverage, data quality and use within and between countries over time. Digital tools are currently under development and will be available through a web portal later this year.
Chemoprevention is the use of medicines, either alone or in combination, to prevent malaria infection and its consequences. This new WHO publication provides standardized approaches for monitoring and evaluating the efficacy of medicines used for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy, perennial malaria chemoprevention (formerly known as intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in infants), seasonal malaria chemoprevention and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in school-aged children. It follows the recent release of new and updated WHO recommendations on these interventions.
New efficacy study protocol | New and updated WHO recommendations
Following the WHO recommendation for wider routine use of the RTS,S vaccine in October 2021, and a subsequent decision by the Gavi Board to approve an initial investment of US$ 155.7 million for the period 2022–2025, Gavi has opened a process for countries to apply for funding support to further roll out or introduce the vaccine. Demand for the vaccine is expected to outstrip supply in the next few years. WHO has developed, with expert advice, a framework that aims to prioritize limited vaccine supply for children living in areas of greatest need, until supply fully meets demand.
WHO news release | WHO Framework for the allocation of limited malaria vaccine supply | Gavi news release
Heads of State and Government from Commonwealth countries convened on 23 June in Rwanda to renew their commitments to ending malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda, the Kigali Summit on Malaria and NTDs turned a spotlight on the burden of a set of diseases that, together, have a devastating impact on the health and livelihoods of nearly 2 billion people annually.
The next meeting of the MPAG will take place on 11–13 October 2022. The agenda and registration information will be shared on the GMP website soon. The Group, which has convened twice a year since 2012, is planning to meet on 18–20 April and 17–19 October 2023.
Clear, evidence-informed WHO recommendations are designed to guide countries as they develop national malaria strategic plans; they support decisions around “what to do”. WHO also develops implementation guidance, such as operational and field manuals, to advise countries on “how to” deliver the recommended tools and strategies.
New vector control PPCs
Preferred product characteristics (PPCs) are key tools to incentivize and guide the development of urgently needed health products. WHO recently published two PPCs in the area of vector control: PPCs on indoor residual surface treatments (formerly called “indoor residual spraying”) and on endectocide and ectocide products for malaria transmission control.
PPCs on indoor residual surface treatments | PPCs on endectocide and ectocide products
The WHO Global Malaria Programme has opened a window for public comment on PPCs for malaria chemoprevention medicines. Send us your comments using an online survey through 22 August 2022. At the end of the public consultation period, a revised version of the PPCs will be issued based on feedback received.
