Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Annalisa Merelli
Published on 2024-04-17 23:19:58
The battle against malaria is a constant struggle between human intelligence and mosquitoes, with the tiny winged creatures often coming out on top. However, recent findings shared by the New Nets Project show significant progress in one of our most crucial defenses against the deadly disease: bed nets.
The New Nets Project, supported by Unitaid and the Global Fund, conducted trials on two second-generation bed nets in endemic regions from 2019 to 2022. These nets were distributed in countries like Burkina Faso, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, with approximately 56 million nets reaching those in need. Pilot studies revealed that the new nets were 20% to 50% more effective than traditional ones in reducing mosquito exposure, leading to a decreased risk of infection by up to 55%. Overall, the project estimated that these nets prevented around 13 million additional cases of malaria and saved nearly 25,000 lives.
This positive development comes at a time when malaria cases are increasing globally. In 2022, the World Health Organization reported nearly 250 million cases and over 600,000 deaths, with 80% of fatalities occurring in children under 5 years old. Despite advancements in understanding mosquito behavior and the availability of tools like vaccines, treatments, and gene-edited mosquitoes, malaria continues to pose a significant threat.
While bed nets have proven effective in preventing mosquito bites, they have limitations. These nets typically last three years or 20 washes, generate waste, and sometimes lead to environmental hazards when misused. Despite these drawbacks, bed nets save lives, and for the past two decades, pyrethroid-treated nets have been the standard in mosquito bite protection. However, mosquitoes have developed resistance to pyrethroid, impacting the success of large-scale distribution programs.
The introduction of second-generation nets like Interceptor G2 and Royal Guard in recent pilot programs has shown promising results. Interceptor G2, coated with chlorfenapyr and standard pyrethroid insecticide, consistently outperformed older nets. On the other hand, Royal Guard, utilizing a blend of pyriproxyfen and pyrethroid, did not consistently demonstrate superior outcomes. Cost is another crucial factor in selecting nets for malaria control programs, with Interceptor G2 priced at $2.94 each.
Although the new nets come with a higher price tag, the added cost is justified by the significant health benefits. While the cost per prevented case of malaria ranged from $0.66 to $3.56, the total savings to healthcare systems totaled nearly $30 million, according to the New Nets Project. Experts acknowledge that insecticide resistance remains a major challenge in combating malaria and advocate for continued research into vector control methods and expanding vaccination coverage.
While the new nets represent a welcome advancement in the fight against malaria, experts recognize that they are not a definitive solution. With mosquitoes likely to develop resistance to second-generation bed nets in the future, research into alternative control measures and increased vaccination rates remains crucial. Despite the limitations of bed nets, their efficacy in reducing mosquito-borne diseases underscores the importance of ongoing innovation in malaria prevention efforts.
