Tools and Strategies for Malaria Control and Elimination: What Do We Need to Achieve a Grand Convergence in Malaria?

Abstract

Progress made in malaria control during the past decade has prompted increasing global dialogue on malaria elimination and eradication. The product development pipeline for malaria has never been stronger, with promising new tools to detect, treat, and prevent malaria, including innovative diagnostics, medicines, vaccines, vector control products, and improved mechanisms for surveillance and response. There are at least 25 projects in the global malaria vaccine pipeline, as well as 47 medicines and 13 vector control products. In addition, there are several next-generation diagnostic tools and reference methods currently in development, with many expected to be introduced in the next decade. The development and adoption of these tools, bolstered by strategies that ensure rapid uptake in target populations, intensified mechanisms for information management, surveillance, and response, and continued financial and political commitment are all essential to achieving global eradication.

Exploring the potential of using cattle for malaria vector surveillance and control: a pilot study in western Kenya

“…It has been realized that malaria elimination in some areas can be achieved only if residual transmission is addressed adequately. This includes targeting vectors for control outside the house [9–11]. …”

Towards the implementation of malaria elimination policy in South Africa: the stakeholders’ perspectives

“…While there is no denial that over the years malaria morbidity and mortality have been drastically reduced in South Africa [13,15] and elsewhere in the world [1,2], informants shared mixed views as to what led to these reductions. Some claimed that these achievements were as a result of effective malaria control interventions [5,13,35].…”

“…Others believed though that the key drivers of the policy formulation process were high-level international organisations, such as the WHO and the SADC [10], and South Africa was, to some extent, politically pressured to see the policy through to implementation [11]. Two other politically sensitive issues emerged, namely [1]: the need for strong cross-border collaboration with sensitivities emanating from the recent xenophobic attacks in the country, and [2] the delay in the registration of a transmission-blocking drug called Primaquine. The informants proposed a political intervention to ensure the timeous registration of the drug by the MCC, so that the elimination mandate is not hindered.…”

“…Despite these gains, malaria continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, with approximately 214 million annual cases and 438,000 deaths in 2015 [2]. The gains made reflect the decisive steps taken by the international malaria community over the years, including the launch of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Movement in 1998, the Abuja Declaration in 2000, the launch of the Eight United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 and the launch of the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP) in 2008 [3,4].…”

Priorities for Broadening the Malaria Vector Control Tool Kit

“…LLINs and IRS work by lowering contact rate between humans and vectors, either because the insecticide changes the normal feeding or host-searching behavior (repellency or deterrence) [30], and/or the insecticide causes mosquito death, affecting the age structure of the mosquito population and potentially adult mosquito density [31]. Because of the importance of these core tools and the potential for insecticide resistance to render them less effective, development of next generation LLIN and IRS products comprising novel active ingredients that overcome resistance, is an important ongoing activity [32]. Nevertheless, LLINs and IRS target only mosquitoes inside the domestic dwelling, leaving activities such as sugar feeding, mating, outdoor biting, host searching and house entry, alternate host feeding, outdoor resting etc.…”