Vector Control Interventions Designed To Control Malaria In Complex Humanitarian Emergencies And In Response To Natural Disasters

“Preferred product characteristics” (PPCs) are key tools to incentivize and guide the development of urgently needed health products. Some of the vector control interventions deployed in complex emergencies and in response to natural disasters – namely insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) – have already met identified public health needs in more stable settings; other tools such as insecticide-treated tarpaulins have been specifically designed for this use case. Given the diverse mix of existing and potential new interventions and the considerable gaps in the associated evidence base, this PPC aims to clearly articulate the unmet public health needs for tools designed to control malaria transmission in complex emergencies and in response to natural disasters.

This second edition represents a thorough updating and revision of the first edition. The structure remains similar, but includes an additional chapter on humanitarian coordination. All chapters have been revised to reflect changes in best practices, improvements in technologies, availability of new tools, and changes in WHO recommendations. The interagency handbook was developed to set out effective malaria control responses in humanitarian emergencies, particularly during the acute phase when reliance on international humanitarian assistance is greatest. It provides policy-makers, planners, and field coordinators with practical advice on designing and implementing measures to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in both man-made and natural disasters. Such measures must address the needs of all affected population groups and accommodate changing needs as an acute emergency evolves into either recovery or chronic emergency phase. Ideal, or gold standard, approaches to malaria control are not always feasible in humanitarian emergencies. Interventions must be adapted to the realities of each emergency. Using this handbook should help humanitarian workers implement effective and concerted responses to malaria problems.

Admittedly, the world and the nature of forced migration have changed a great deal over the last two decades. The relevance of data accumulated during that time period can now be called into question. The roundtable and the Program on Forced Migration at the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University have commissioned a series of epidemiological reviews on priority public health problems for forced migrants that will update the state of knowledge. Malaria Control During Mass Population Movements and Natural Disasters- the first in the series, provides a basic overview of the state of knowledge of epidemiology of malaria and public health interventions and practices for controlling the disease in situations involving forced migration and conflict.

Preferred product characteristics" (PPCs) are key tools to incentivize and guide the development of urgently needed health products. This PPC was developed to indicate that WHO has identified vector control products targeting outdoor malaria transmission as an unmet public health need and to outline the preferred characteristics of such interventions. While keeping the scope of the PPC as broad as possible, it is primarily tailored to encourage new insecticidal/repellent products. Endectocides/ ectocides, as well as genetically modified mosquitoes, both of which could be considered to fall into the category of interventions targeting/contributing to the reduction of outdoor malaria transmission, are already covered by a separate PPC or warrant the development of one.

This handbook focuses on effective malaria control responses to complex emergencies, particularly during the acute phase when reliance on international humanitarian assistance is greatest. Topics covered: initial assessment and planning; surveillance; outbreak preparedness and response; case management; prevention; community participation and health education; research and evaluation.

Each year, WHO’s World malaria report offers in-depth information on the latest trends in malaria control and elimination at global, regional and country levels. The report highlights progress towards global targets and describes opportunities and challenges for curbing and eliminating the disease. This year’s report includes three new sections on: (1) global and regional initiatives launched in 2021 and 2022; (2) global malaria surveillance and country-level case studies on surveillance systems assessments; and (3) research and development. The report also includes an expanded section on threats to malaria control, with a focus on the declining effectiveness of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) involves applying residual insecticide to potential vector resting sites on the interior surfaces of human dwellings or other buildings. The main aim of IRS is to kill vectors before they are able to transmit pathogens to humans. When carried out correctly, IRS has historically been shown to be a powerful intervention to reduce adult vector density and longevity for mosquitoes, sand flies and triatomine bugs and can reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases. This operational manual is designed to provide guidance on the establishment, management, implementation, reporting and evaluation of safe and effective IRS campaigns within the context of a locally adapted and sustainable vector control programme, in line with the Global vector control response 2017–2030. It provides information according to current WHO recommendations and standards on IRS and recognizes that IRS can potentially target multiple diseases in areas where endophilic vectors coexist. The key audience for this document is vector-borne disease control programme managers and staff, as well as implementing or private-sector partners at the national, provincial/state or local levels, who are responsible for the design, planning or implementation of vector control operations.