Medical experts say vector control is a critical component in the fight against malaria, a disease transmitted primarily by mosquitoes.
They said that effective vector control is essential for controlling and eventually eliminating malaria in Nigeria and urged the government to ensure that those who live in the risk areas are protected with long-lasting insecticide-treated nets.
The physicians said that the efficacy of vector control measures could vary based on mosquito species and local environmental factors, which influence both the capacity of these vectors to transmit malaria parasites and their susceptibility to control interventions.
According to the World Health Organisation, malaria is a major public health concern in Nigeria, with an estimated 68 million cases and 194 000 deaths due to the disease in 2021, stating that infants, children under-five years, pregnant women, travellers, and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.
The global health body stressed that the country has the highest burden of malaria globally, accounting for nearly 27 per cent of the global malaria burden.
The WHO noted that the risk of transmission exists throughout the country, all year round, emphasising that the incidence of malaria is highest in the northern and northeastern parts of the country.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the physicians said that two primary vector control interventions are widely endorsed, including long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying.
A Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health at the Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Ulu Ogbonnanya, said the mosquito nets, which are treated with insecticides, provide a protective barrier against mosquitoes throughout the night when malaria transmission was most likely.
Ogbonnanya said these nets are designed to remain effective for several years, offering sustained protection and reducing the risk of malaria transmission in high-risk areas.
He noted that while the net is a barrier against mosquitoes, the indoor residual spraying involves the application of insecticides to the interior walls and ceilings of homes, where mosquitoes commonly rest after feeding.
The infectious disease expert explained, “This method targets mosquitoes directly and reduces the likelihood of mosquito bites and disease transmission within households. The national malaria programmes must ensure that individuals residing in high-risk areas are adequately protected.
“This involves not only providing the insecticide-treated nets but also ensuring their correct and consistent use. Regular replacement of these nets is crucial to maintaining their efficacy over time.
“In addition, indoor residual spraying should be considered where nets alone might not be sufficient. It is essential to note that indoor residual spraying should not be used merely as a fallback for inadequate implementation of the nets.
“Instead, the use of IRS should be based on specific local conditions and data, such as the prevalence of insecticide resistance and the effectiveness of existing measures.”
According to him, when deploying LLINs and IRS together, it is important to use different classes of insecticides for each intervention.
This approach, he said, would help to prevent or manage resistance, which can occur if mosquitoes are exposed to the same insecticide through both LLINs and IRS.
“Using insecticides with different modes of action helps to maintain the effectiveness of both interventions and reduces the risk of resistance developing,” he added.
Also speaking, a family health physician at the Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Chidumeje Okafor emphasised on the importance of supplementary vector control methods as a necessary solution in certain situations.
Okafor said larval source management, for instance, which involves the elimination of mosquito breeding sites, can be particularly effective in specific environments where mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
This method, he said, can complement insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying by reducing the overall mosquito population and, consequently, the risk of malaria transmission.
“Ultimately, the success of vector control efforts depends on the integration of various strategies and their adaptation to local conditions.
“Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are crucial to assess the effectiveness of interventions and to make necessary adjustments based on emerging data.
“By focusing on evidence-based approaches and leveraging local knowledge, malaria programmes can enhance their vector control efforts and make significant strides towards reducing the burden of malaria in Nigeria and the entire world,” he added.
Source: PUNCH NEWS
