Guidelines for Malaria Vector Control

Malaria remains an important cause of illness and death in children and adults throughout the world, with 87 countries reporting one or more cases of malaria in 2017. Malaria control requires an integrated approach, including prevention (with an emphasis on vector control, plus chemoprevention), early diagnosis and prompt effective treatment. The WHO Guidelines for the treatment of malaria were first developed in 2006 and have been revised periodically, with the most recent edition published in 2015. To date there has been no equivalent comprehensive guidelines document on malaria vector control. WHO guidelines contain recommendations on clinical practice or public health policy intended to guide end-users as to the individual or collective actions that can or should be taken in specific situations to achieve the best possible health outcomes. Such recommendations are also designed to help the user to select and prioritize interventions from a range of potential alternatives. The recommendations in this 1st edition of the Guidelines for malaria vector control are based on a firm evidence base for certain interventions, whereas for other interventions, major information gaps necessitated formulation of guidance based on expert opinion. The Guidelines will therefore remain under regular review; updates are envisioned on an ongoing basis as new evidence becomes available. The recommendations and their rationale presented in the main body of this document are brief so as to facilitate quick reference. More detail on the underlying evidence base is provided in a series of annexes