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** A $65 million initiative to make alternative insecticides for indoor residual spraying (IRS) more readily available in countries with a high burden of malaria

February 5th, 2016

WHO welcomes new initiative to combat insecticide resistance

1 February 2016

UNITAID and the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVVC) have announced a $65 million initiative to make alternative insecticides for indoor residual spraying (IRS) more readily available in countries with a high burden of malaria. The project aims to protect as many as 50 million people from malaria in 16 African countries.

WHO recommends protection for all people at risk of malaria with effective malaria vector control. Two forms of vector control – insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying – are effective in a wide range of circumstances.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs)

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the preferred form of ITNs for public health programmes. In most settings, WHO recommends LLIN coverage for all people at risk of malaria. The most cost-effective way to achieve this is by providing LLINs free of charge, to ensure equal access for all. In parallel, effective behaviour change communication strategies are required to ensure that all people at risk of malaria sleep under a LLIN every night, and that the net is properly maintained.

Indoor spraying with residual insecticides

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides is a powerful way to rapidly reduce malaria transmission. Its full potential is realized when at least 80% of houses in targeted areas are sprayed. The residual efficacy of insecticides depends on the formulation used and the type of surface on which they are sprayed. In some settings, multiple spray rounds are needed to protect the population for the entire malaria season.

In recent years, mosquito resistance to insecticides has become a growing concern. According to the 2015 World Malaria Report, 60 of the 78 countries that monitor insecticide resistance have reported mosquito resistance to at least one insecticide used in nets and indoor spraying since 2010; of these countries, 49 reported resistance to two or more insecticide classes.