Each year on 20th August, organisations working to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases come together to mark World Mosquito Day, acknowledging the discovery of the link between malaria and the mosquito responsible for the spread of its parasite.
If you want to learn more about the mosquito that spreads malaria, the Anopheles, take a look at our mosquito explainer.
This year, to mark the day, Malaria Consortium led a Twitter chat with organisations and vector control specialists aligned with the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in tackling mosquito-borne diseases. In answer to eight key questions, the discussion highlighted how the work of controlling mosquitoes and their impact on disease has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of research and innovation, and how we can ensure malaria control interventions improve health outcomes, especially for vulnerable and hard to reach populations.
Organisations involved in the Twitter chat included the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Secretariat, Emerging AG, Glide, Imperial College London, James Cook University, Kenya Medical Research Institute, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Malaria No More UK, Menzies School of Health Research, Nothing But Nets, University of Oxford, Pan Africa Mosquito Control Association, PATH, PSI, Target Malaria, Uganda Virus Research Institute and the University of Cape Town.
Scroll down for a summary of questions and a selection of the answers. You can click on each tweet to see the full responses (opens a new window on Twitter).
Q1: Tell us what you do and how it’s contributing to the battle against vector-borne diseases, like malaria?
Here’s a small selection of responses to Q1:
Read moreAs the Senior Research Advisor @FightingMalaria, I support & oversee research activities across countries in Africa & Asia – designing & implementing innovative therapeutic & preventive approaches aimed at reducing the burden of vector-borne diseases with a focus on malaria.
— Jane Achan Edwin (@JaneAchan_Edwin) August 20, 2021
I perform research to help develop innovative vector control products which can provide improved control of insecticide-resistant malaria vectors. I also generate efficacy data required for WHO prequalification of novel vector control products. #MosquitoChat
— Corine Ngufor-Kalu (@CorineNgufor) August 20, 2021
I lead a team at @MenziesResearch developing new tools and treatment strategies for eliminating P. vivax malaria; working with NMCPs to implement these into policy and practice.
— Ric Price (@ricprice99) August 20, 2021
I am a @ZeroMalaria Youth Champion, a member of @ALMA_2030 YAC & currently work as a #MedicalLabScientist
Through @BlockMalaria a malaria intervention initiative i co-lead, I empower malaria most-at-risk communities in Nigeria on effective strategies for malaria prevention.
— Odinaka Kingsley Obeta 🇳🇬 (@ObetaOdinaka) August 20, 2021
A1A I am Professor at the @LSHTM and CEO of Arctech Innovation, where I have spent the last 20 years working on novel technologies, such as repellents & attractants, to control the transmission of malaria, and other vector-borne diseases, from mosquitoes to humans. #MosquitoChat
— Professor James Logan 💙 (@ProfJamesLogan) August 20, 2021
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Q2: Why is research, development and innovation so important in tackling vector-borne diseases, rather than simply using existing tools?
Here’s a small selection of responses to Q3
Read moreExisting tools are great, but they are currently not good enough to eliminate malaria everywhere. We are in an arms race with both the parasite and the mosquito so we need to continually innovate to maintain the advances we have made and do more. #MosquitoChat
— Tom Churcher (@ThomasChurcher) August 20, 2021
In the case of #malaria, research and development are extremely important because both the parasite and the mosquito develop resistance.
R&D is also needed to meet the evolving needs of special populations, such as pregnant women and children <5kg. #MosquitoChat @FightingMalaria— Nekoye Namungu (@missnekoye) August 20, 2021
Research is essential in identifying and developing innovative ways of tackling vector-borne diseases. It’s from research that we can make informed decisions of diagnosis, treatment and management these diseases. #MosquitoChat
— Damaris Matoke (@kwambo_2) August 20, 2021
They help us to optimise and more efficiently target existing interventions as well as identify new effective interventions to help improve control and accelerate progress to elimination. #MosquitoChat
— Richard Maude (@rjmaude) August 20, 2021
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Q3: Do you think that COVID-19 will have a positive or negative impact on developing new tools to fight vector-borne diseases?
Here’s a small selection of responses to Q3:
Read moreThe COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised how crippling emerging infectious diseases are. While there have been short term delays in the roll-out of many field-based research programs, the need for novel tools is stronger than ever. #MosquitoChat
— Tanya Russell (@Dr_TanyaRussell) August 20, 2021
COVID-19 has greatly slowed progress in the research for new control tools against vector-borne diseases. Many labs have been closed for long periods of time, multiple field sites have had to pause activities, not to mention the many scientists affected directly by the disease
— eric ochomo (@eochomo) August 20, 2021
A3 W/ 4.3M lost to #COVID19 & the persistent threat of more dying it’s hard to fathom the pandemic having a positive impact on #malaria! We’ve had to b innovative in helping countries deal w/COVID & maintain gains in malaria burden reduction from the last decade. #MosquitoChat
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 20, 2021
In the short term, COVID-19 may have a negative impact on the development of new tools as attention & resources are diverted to the pandemic, however, Covid-19 has triggered new ways of thinking regarding how innovations can be developed and rolled out in record time
— Emma Orefuwa (@EOrefuwa) August 20, 2021
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Q4: What challenges do you think most urgently need to be addressed by research and development, what are the risks in not doing so?
Here’s a selection of responses to Q4:
Read moreVector control. Why? Because it has one of the highest returns on investment in public health and it works. And yet, less than 10% of the global research budget for malaria is dedicated to vector control. #MosquitoChat
— Tanya Russell (@Dr_TanyaRussell) August 20, 2021
Vector control. Why? Because it has one of the highest returns on investment in public health and it works. And yet, less than 10% of the global research budget for malaria is dedicated to vector control. #MosquitoChat
— Tanya Russell (@Dr_TanyaRussell) August 20, 2021
We need to find ways to detect and control the mosquitoes that aren’t killed by bed nets and insecticides. Malaria will continue to exist until we can wipe out all opportunities for mosquitoes to bite and transmit disease. #MosquitoChat
— Professor James Logan 💙 (@ProfJamesLogan) August 20, 2021
Operational challenges of delivering vector control tools in humanitarian emergency settings – malaria will never be eliminated if these populations continue to be neglected in research #MosquitoChat
— Joanna Furnival-Adams (@JFurnivalAdams) August 20, 2021
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Q5: What are some of the most promising innovations in malaria control?
Here’s a selection of responses to Q5:
Read moreSome of the most promising innovations for malaria control include the malaria vaccine, use of second generation mosquito nets and the potential role of medicines such as Ivermectin for vector control. #MosquitoChat
— Jane Achan Edwin (@JaneAchan_Edwin) August 20, 2021
A5 Next generation insecticide treated nets and IRS products which provide improved control of insecticide resistant vector populations and malaria vaccines. #MosquitoChat
— Corine Ngufor-Kalu (@CorineNgufor) August 20, 2021
In the future, genetic vector control tools may be a cost effective and sustainable tool for malaria control. They are adaptable to many disease vectors, but are specific, so unlike insecticides, they do not harm beneficial species. #MosquitoChat
— Robyn Raban (@robyn_raban) August 20, 2021
A5 The @commonwealthsec Malaria tracker, the @ALMA2030 scorecards are very promising tools in the fight against malaria as data is crucial towards making decisions for other measures. #MosquitoChat
— Aloyce Urassa 🌍 (@AloyceUrassa) August 20, 2021
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Q6: How can we ensure that malaria innovations reach the people who need them most?
Here’s a selection of responses to Q6:
Read moreWe need to prove that these innovations are cost-effective and scalable. With limited resources, we need to make smart choices with an equity-focused mindset. Unfortunately, malaria has less attractive market incentives as the main affected are from LMICs.
— Malaria Consortium (@FightingMalaria) August 20, 2021
Novel tools must be developed by and for the people who need them the most. Working jointly with scientists in malaria endemic countries and with the support and inclusion of local communities, governments and regulatory agencies should be central to any malaria innovation.
— Talya Hackett (@Landscape_Webs) August 20, 2021
A6 Prioritise health systems strengthening in remote and poorly resourced communities and ensure safe and effective interventions for pregnant women and young children #MosquitoChat
— Ric Price (@ricprice99) August 20, 2021
Comprehensive situational analyses should be carried out to aid in prioritisation of need. Affected people and those closest to the problem must be involved in the design of research, policy & programs that roll out malaria interventions for ownership, sustainability and uptake.
— Emma Orefuwa (@EOrefuwa) August 20, 2021
Interventions need to be accessible, including being affordable and logistically feasible. Industry has a vital role to play as bringing innovations to market requires significant funding and resources, which cannot be fulfilled by academia, local governments, or charities.
— Professor James Logan 💙 (@ProfJamesLogan) August 20, 2021
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Q7: How is data being used to create innovative malaria control techniques?
Here’s a selection of responses to Q7:
Read morePlatforms such as the newly launched @GlobalVectorHub will facilitate and enable greater capacity to utilise data in a more meaningful and impactful way. This will also support predictive modelling to improve our preparedness and responsiveness to outbreaks. #MosquitoChat
— Professor James Logan 💙 (@ProfJamesLogan) August 20, 2021
Data can be utilized to screen for malaria at-risk population by mapping foci and malaria case investigations. This will ultimately influence intervention strategies and contributes to designing effective vector control tools for a sustainable malaria elimination in the community
— Regional Malaria CSO Platform, GMS (@malariafreegms) August 23, 2021
Efforts on malaria disease mapping incl. resistant parasites are promising. We need however to increase availability of actual data on malaria prevalence in affected countries. #MosquitoChat
— Cees Winnips (@CWinnips) August 20, 2021
Data is especially useful in determining risk stratification and specific geographical levels of disease and this informs better intervention targeting in these settings. #MosquitoChat
— Jane Achan Edwin (@JaneAchan_Edwin) August 20, 2021
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Q8: How would a malaria vaccine change the fight against malaria?
Here’s a selection of answers to Q8:
Read moreThe vaccine will bring a whole paradigm shift. Malaria claims the life of 1 child every 2 minutes globally. Clinical trials of current potential vaccine, RTSS, has completed in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi & will be administered to children aged >6 months in malaria endemic countries
— Damaris Matoke (@kwambo_2) August 20, 2021
A malaria vaccine will be an additional component to the existing arsenal of malaria control interventions. With effective roll out, a malaria vaccine could play a critical role in covering the existing intervention coverage gaps. #MosquitoChat
— Jane Achan Edwin (@JaneAchan_Edwin) August 20, 2021
A8 Vaccinations have made a fundamental contribution to global health. An effective vaccine is a powerful tool for eradicating infectious diseases globally. I strongly believe that an effective malaria vaccine will play a critical role in eradicating malaria for good @WinterOkoth
— Nothing But Nets (@nothingbutnets) August 20, 2021
A8. Even if we get a vaccine it still has to be brought to those most in need and taken up. We can see how difficult this is with COVID vaccines. #MosquitoChat
— Kamala Thriemer (@KThriemer) August 20, 2021
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Check out the #MosquitoChat hashtag on Twitter to see more responses to each question and follow us @FightingMalaria for more.