Malaria

Reports of the WHOPES Working Group Meetings and the WHOPES publication Pesticides and their application for control of vectors and pests of public health importance should be consulted for guidance on use and recommendations.

Management in malaria vectors (GPIRM) is a call to action. Through this document, WHO and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership call on governments of malaria-endemic countries, donor organizations, UN agencies, as well as research and industry partners, to implement a five-pillar strategy to tackle the growing threat of insecticide resistance and to facilitate the development of innovative vector control tools and strategies. 

The World Malaria Report 2012 summarizes information received from 104 malaria-endemic countries and other sources, and updates the analyses presented in the 2011 report. It highlights the progress made towards the global malaria targets set for 2015 and describes current challenges for global malaria control and elimination.

The aim of this interagency manual is to provide policy, strategy, technical and operational guidance to countries wishing to strengthen or set up routine malaria diagnostic services. These services include the use of both microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) at all levels for the management of febrile patients by health workers and are integrated within other national programmes for strengthening laboratory services.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are making access to malaria diagnosis possible for people who live in remote areas where laboratory tests are not available. However, high temperatures can damage RDTs for malaria and can shorten their shelf life.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are making access to malaria diagnosis possible for people who live in remote areas where laboratory tests are not available. However, high temperatures can damage RDTs for malaria and can shorten their shelf life. The recommended storage temperature for most RDTs is 2°C–30°C, although the manufacturer may specify a higher temperature. 

Misdiagnosis of malaria results in significant morbidity and mortality. Rapid, accurate and accessible detection of malaria parasites has an important role in addressing this, and in promoting more rational use of increasingly costly drugs, in many endemic areas. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer the potential to provide accurate diagnosis to all at-risk populations for the first time, reaching those unable to access good quality microscopy services.

A WHO Technical Consultation on Specifications for Prepackaging Antimalarial Medicines was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2 to 4 September 2003.

The adoption and use of expensive artemisinin-based antimalarial therapies in the past few years is unprecedented but has not been matched by a similar increase in parasitological confirmation of malaria diagnoses. Targeted treatment is important, not only to limit unnecessary dispensing of antimalarial treatment but also to allow judicious use of these precious, life-saving medicines, for which the supply of raw materials is decreasing because of reduced cultivation of Artemisia annua.

Achieving adequate concentrations of antimalarial drugs in the blood is pivotal to curing malaria. Accurate measurement of drug concentrations is essential to ensure optimal dosing of the currently available and newly introduced antimalarial drugs and for differentiating inadequate exposure to a drug from true resistance to the drug.