In focus: Emerging insecticide resistance
Mosquito resistance to insecticides has been detected in 64 countries around the world, affecting all major malaria vector species and all four existing classes of insecticides. Endemic countries are urged to develop and implement comprehensive insecticide resistance management strategies and ensure timely entomological and resistance monitoring. Issued in May 2012, the Global plan for insecticide resistance management in malaria vectors contains a global plan of action to tackle this threat. If left unchecked, insecticide resistance could lead to a substantial increase in malaria incidence and mortality.
Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly reviews progress on malaria
28 May 2013 – During the Sixty-sixth session of the World Health Assembly (20-28 May 2013), delegates noted the Secretariat’s report on progress in implementation of resolution WHA64.17 and on global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Member States stressed the importance of maintaining malaria as a priority in the post-2015 global health and development agenda, and expressed support for the development of a WHO global technical strategy on malaria control and elimination for 2016-2025.
World Malaria Day 2013
25 April 2013 – World Malaria Day was instituted by WHO Member States during the 2007 World Health Assembly and is held every year on 25 April. This year, WHO highlighted the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for global malaria prevention and control. The Organization also warned about the threat of emerging drug and insecticide resistance. On 25 April, WHO launched an emergency response to artemisinin resistance in the Greater Mekong subregion at an event hosted in Phnom Penh by the Cambodian Minister of Health.
