Enhancing Malaria Research, Surveillance, and Control in Endemic Areas of Kenya and Ethiopia

Abstract

Malaria control programs in Africa encounter daunting challenges that hinder progressive steps toward elimination of the disease. These challenges include widespread insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors, increasing outdoor malaria transmission, lack of vector surveillance and control tools suitable for outdoor biting vectors, weakness in malaria surveillance, and an inadequate number of skilled healthcare personnel. Ecological and epidemiological changes induced by environmental modifications resulting from water resource development projects pose additional barriers to malaria control. Cognizant of these challenges, our International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) works in close collaboration with relevant government ministries and agencies to align its research efforts with the objectives and strategies of the national malaria control and elimination programs for the benefit of local communities. Our overall goal is to assess the impact of water resource development projects, shifting agricultural practices, and vector interventions on Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria in Kenya and Ethiopia. From 2017 to date, the ICEMR has advanced knowledge of malaria epidemiology, transmission, immunology, and pathogenesis, and developed tools to enhance vector surveillance and control, improved clinical malaria surveillance and diagnostic methods, and strengthened the capacity of local healthcare providers. Research findings from the ICEMR will inform health policy and strategic planning by ministries of health in their quest to sustain malaria control and achieve elimination goals.

Figure 1.

International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) engagement with government agencies, academic and research institutions, partners, and local communities. Research studies are guided by the Scientific Advisory Group. The project has engaged Kenyan and Ethiopian government agencies and local and global partners. Outcomes of the project facilitate malaria surveillance and control in the community.

Figure 2.

Community engagement in ICEMR activities in Kenya and Ethiopia: (A) health facility nurses receiving training in malaria passive surveillance; (B) meeting with hospital management team; (C) community health workers receiving training in active surveillance; (D) indoor residual spray training of community operators; and (E) malaria diagnosis training of ICEMR staff.