Malawi

Entomological activities are essential to monitoring the impact of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs) in Malawi where the primary vector, An. funestus, has been demonstrated to be resistant to most pyrethroid insecticides as well as to carbamate insecticides such as bendiocarb and propoxur.  The Malawi NMCP malaria control strategy relies entirely on the distribution of LLINs through mass campaigns at 3 year intervals and through routine distribution at ANC clinics.  Given the high level of pyrethroid resistance, it is important to assess the impact of LLINs on malaria vector density, behavior and species composition as well as to continue to monitor the frequency and intensity of resistance of the local vectors to WHOPES recommended insecticides. Furthermore, novel LLINs are increasingly being implemented and as part of the recent 2016 mass campaign, Concern Universal (CU) distributed two PBO nets—PermaNet 3.0 and Olyset Plus—in parts of 4 districts in Malawi.  Given the high levels of pyrethroid resistance and the fact that oxidase enzymes are a likely mechanism of resistance, this provides an opportunity to assess their impact on malaria vectors in Malawi.

With guidance from PMI and in collaboration with the NMCP, the PMI AIRS Project will assess the impact of LLINs on malaria vector density, behavior and species composition as well as to continue to monitor the frequency and intensity of resistance of the local vectors to WHOPES recommended insecticides. Specifically the project aims to achieve the following objectives in the year of this work plan (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018):

  1. Conduct high-quality entomological monitoring activities with minimum technical assistance from outside the country.
  2. Support monitoring species composition, abundance and seasonality, of malaria vectors in 11 sentinel sites in the following districts: Chikwawa, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Balaka and Ntcheu.
  3. Determine the susceptibility level of funestus, to four insecticides recommended by the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) in 11 sentinel sites in Chikwawa, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Balaka and Ntcheu.