Bibliographic Info
GuidelineWHO guidelines for malaria, 13 August 2025
Year of Publication2025
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Recommended against
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Moderate
The co-deployment of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is not recommended for prevention and control of malaria in children and adults in areas with ongoing malaria transmission. Priority should be given to delivering either ITNs or IRS at optimal 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.
Notes and Remarks
- 1.In settings where there is optimal ITN coverage as specified in the strategic plan has been achieved and where these remain effective, additionally implementing IRS may have limited utility in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality. Given the resource constraints across malaria endemic countries, it is recommended that effort be focused on good-quality implementation of either ITNs or IRS, rather than deploying both in the same area. However, the combination of these interventions may be considered for resistance prevention, mitigation or management should sufficient resources be available.