Vector control of malaria

The principal objective of vector control is the reduction of malaria morbidity and mortality by reducing the levels of transmission. Vector control methods vary considerably in their applicability, cost and sustainability of their results.

Methods

• Integrated vector management
  A decision-making process for the management of vector populations.

• Indoor residual spraying
  Reduces transmission by reducing the survival of malaria vectors entering houses or sleeping units.

• Insecticide-treated materials
  Insecticide treated nets, if used by the total population, have shown to be able to lower transmission by 90%, malaria incidence by 50% and all case child mortality by 18 %.

• Other methods
  In some cases environmental management and/or larviciding can be recommended as effective malaria control tools.

The choice of vector control

The choice of vector control will depend on:

• the magnitude of the malaria burden;
• the feasibility of timely and correct application of the required interventions;
• the possibility of sustaining the resulting modified epidemiological situation.

WHO recommends a systematic approach to vector control-based on evidence and knowledge of the local situation. This approach is called Integrated vector management (IVM).

Please refer to report Malaria vector control and personal protection for a review of the current vector control strategies and their effectiveness in various operational and eco-epidemiological settings and identified challenges for implementation in different health systems.

• Malaria vector control and personal protection