PPC: Insecticide-treated nets for malaria transmission control in areas with insecticide-resistant mosquito populations
Insecticide-treated nets for malaria transmission control in areas with insecticide-resistant mosquito populations: preferred product characteristics
1 December 2021
Indication
• Uses any mechanism expected to reduce vectorial capacity so as to provide community protection to individuals not covered by Insecticide treated nets (ITNs).
• Prevention of biting on individuals under a net is considered an added advantage.
• Reduces or prevents infection and/or disease caused by malaria in humans.
• Suitable for use by all age groups, including women of child-bearing age, pregnant and lactating women, and children under 5 years of age.
Target population
Human: Populations at risk of malaria.
Disease vector: Anopheles mosquitoes, including strains resistant to insecticides in current use (pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, neonicotinoids and organochlorines). Resistance mechanisms to be overcome include: target-site (Kdr, AChE, RDL) and metabolic (monooxygenases, esterases, glutathione S-transferases). The current priority is ITNs that effectively control pyrethroid-resistant mosquito populations.
• Other arthropod vectors and the diseases they transmit and/or nuisance-biting arthropods are considered an added advantage.
Efficacy
Protective efficacy to reduce or prevent malaria infection and/or disease in humans in areas where the primary vector(s) is/are insecticide resistant (particular focus lies on areas of pyrethroid resistance).
Safety
Human health: The end use product should not pose an unacceptable risk. Appropriate safety/toxicological information needs to be provided to enable WHO to develop a hazard assessment for the active ingredient and a risk assessment for the final product. When available, WHO may use a hazard assessment by a stringent regulatory authority to inform its own assessment. New active ingredient(s) should preferably be registered by a stringent regulatory authority.
Environmental: Use, disposal or degradation of the product should not pose an
undue environmental hazard. A biodegradable product would be preferable.
Non-target species: Risks to non-target species should be in accordance with
required environmental and ecotoxicology standards at the time of submission for registration. It is expected that environmental exposure will be minimal for ITNs. The main areas of concern are run-off from washing or rainwater and incorrect use (e.g., for fishing) or disposal of nets in water bodies.
Product type
Not Defined
Status
Active