Guideline

Guidelines for Malaria Vector Control

Year of Publication

2019

Issuing Institution

WHO

Links

Pubmed,WHO IRIS,WHO IRIS,Google Scholar

Recommendations

18 included recommendations

Priority should be given to delivering either insecticide-treated net (ITNs) or indoor residual spraying (IRS) at high coverage and to a high standard, rather than introducing the second intervention as a means to compensate for deficiencies in the implementation of the first intervention.

Status

Maintained

Recommended against

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Moderate

(Insecticide-treated nets) Pyrethroid-only long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) prequalified by WHO are recommended for deployment as a core intervention in all malaria-endemic settings

Status

Maintained

Recommended in favor

Strong

Certainty of evidence

High

Pyrethroid-PBO nets prequalified by WHO are conditionally recommended for deployment instead of pyrethroid-only long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) where the principal malaria vector(s) exhibit pyrethroid resistance that is: a) confirmed, b) of intermediate level, and c) conferred (at least in part) by a monooxygenasebased resistance mechanism, as determined by standard procedures.

Status

Maintained

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Moderate

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) deploying a product prequalified by WHO is recommended as a core intervention in all malaria-endemic settings. DDT has not been prequalified; it may be used for IRS if no equally effective and efficient alternative is available, and if it is used in line with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Status

Maintained

Recommended in favor

Strong

Certainty of evidence

Low

The regular application of biological or chemical insecticides to water bodies (larviciding) is recommended as a supplementary intervention in areas where high coverage with a core intervention has been achieved, where aquatic habitats of the principal malaria vector(s) are few, fixed and findable, and where its application is both feasible and cost-effective.

Status

Maintained

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

Deployment of topical repellents is not recommended as an intervention with public health value; however, topical repellents may be beneficial as an intervention to provide personal protection.

Status

Maintained

Recommended against

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

Use of insecticide-treated clothing is not recommended as an intervention with public health value; however, insecticide-treated clothing may be beneficial as an intervention to provide personal protection in specific population groups.

Status

Maintained

Recommended against

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

Space spraying should not be undertaken for malaria control, and indoor residual spraying (IRS) or insecticide-treated net (ITNs) should be prioritized instead

Status

Maintained

Recommended against

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

Universal coverage with effective vector control using a core intervention insecticide-treated net (ITNs) or indoor residual spraying (IRS) is recommended for all populations at risk of malaria in most epidemiological and ecological settings. The population at risk of malaria may increase or decrease as a result of changes in malariogenic potential of a given geographical area.

Status

Updated

Once high coverage with one core intervention has been achieved, programmes may consider deploying the other core intervention as an approach to prevent, manage and mitigate insecticide resistance. The insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) products selected for co-deployment must not contain the same insecticide class(es). For instance, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) with a pyrethroid should not be deployed in the same households or areas as ITNs. The decision to deploy a second core vector control intervention should only be taken after conducting a prioritization analysis across malaria interventions, not just vector control, to ensure maximum impact of any additional resources

Status

Updated

Once high coverage with a core intervention has been achieved, recommended supplementary interventions with proven public health value may be deployed in specific settings and circumstances. The decision to deploy a supplementary vector control intervention should only be taken after conducting a prioritization analysis across malaria interventions, not just vector control, to ensure maximum impact of any additional resources.

Status

Updated

In areas with ongoing local malaria transmission (irrespective of both the pre-intervention and current level of transmission), vector control interventions should not be scaled back. Universal coverage with effective malaria vector control of all inhabitants of such areas should be pursued and maintained.

Status

Updated

In areas where transmission has been interrupted, the scale-back of vector control should be based on a detailed analysis that includes assessment of the receptivity and vulnerability, active disease surveillance system, and capacity for case management and vector control response.

Status

Updated

Recipients of insecticide-treated net (ITNs) should be advised (through appropriate communication strategies) not to dispose of their nets in any water body, as the residual insecticide on the net can be toxic to aquatic organisms (especially fish).

Status

Updated

Recipients of insecticide-treated net (ITNs) should be advised (through appropriate communication strategies) to continue using their net even if it is damaged or contains holes, irrespective of the age of the net, until a replacement net is available.

Status

Updated

Recipients of insecticide-treated net (ITNs) should be advised (through appropriate communication strategies) to continue using their nets beyond the 3-year expected lifespan of the net, irrespective of the condition and age of the net, until areplacement net is available

Status

Updated

Old insecticide-treated net (ITNs) should only be collected where there is assurance that: i) communities are not left uncovered, i.e. new ITNs are distributed to replace old ones; and ii) there is a suitable and sustainable plan in place for safe disposal of the collected material.

Status

Updated

If insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and their packaging (bags and baling materials) are collected, the best option for disposal is high-temperature incineration. They should not be burned in the open air. In the absence of appropriate facilities, they should be buried away from water sources and preferably in nonpermeable soil.

Status

Updated