| CONTROL TOOLS |
| Malaria is a particularly complex disease which has evaded the best efforts of the scientific world to bring it under control. The parasite has become resistant to many of the anti-malarial drugs developed to combat it. This, in part, is due to the widespread use of mono-therapies, and misdiagnosis. Many years of research into a vaccine have produced no credible results, and in some circles it is believed that no solution will ever exist. Prevention of the disease is as important as cure. |
| The MENTOR Initiative continues to invest much expertise with our commercial partners to explore more efficacious ways and means of control and suppression of the disease. There are many tools to check the vector, the Anopheles Mosquito. |
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| Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITN) The mosquito net provides protection for a family of five people. In stable environments LLITNs are most effective. There is evidence that the impregnated insecticide in LLITNs is effective for up to a number of years. |
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| Insecticide Treated Plastic Sheeting (ITPS) has been developed since 2000 in collaboration with partner organisations and shelter agencies to specifically provide high quality shelter material which offers protection from the elements, conforming to UNHCR standards, but also combining the slow release of WHO approved insecticide to both surfaces of the plastic sheeting. |
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| At any one time only a small concentration of insecticide is made available on the surface (a small fraction of that which is made available through IRS). It has been internationally tested for vector control efficacy and safety, the results of which were published in 2004 in peer reviewed journals. ITPS was one recommended component (WHO January 2005) of the Tsunami response for Asia. Apart from just being used in individual shelters, ITPS is also used in the construction of clinics, schools and latrines. This provides community-wide protection against vector borne disease. |
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| Long Lasting Indoor Residual Spraying (LLIRS) is an application of insecticide which is sprayed onto the indoor walls of homes, clinics, schools and other community structures. The original IRS was effective for up to 6 month's. The LLIRS will have up to 12 months efficacy. |
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| ARGOS The name originates from Greek mythology. The demi-god Argos, with his hundred eyes, permanently kept watch over the flocks of the god Zeus. ARGOS is a system originally developed by CLS (a non profit section of the French Space Agency) to collect data, and relay this by satellite to monitor environmental changes, migration of animals and birds and movement of sea buoys and fishing vessels. This technology has recently been adapted for field use in the form of a robust metal data collection station the size of a domestic letter box, running on a long life battery (two years plus), and is the price of a basic lap-top computer. ARGOS has been used since 2004 by the World Food Program (WFP) to collect information on their school feeding programs in developing countries. MENTOR in partnership with CLS have adapted the ARGOS technology specifically for improved malaria surveillance with the aim of reducing the delays in responding to epidemics and improve support for remote endemic areas through combining robust cutting edge technology with practical country support. |
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| The ARGOS platform has been adapted to collect malaria specific data. A full screen design has been developed using only malaria related icons. Without language, these ARGOS units can be used in any country without the need for individual programme translation and development. It is thus easier to train health facility staff whose task it is to relay data weekly, or daily, in the event of an epidemic. |
| This information is sent by satellite to a central computer where it is automatically analysed and displayed on a secure website, where key decision-makers in the country, such as the Ministry of Health, have dedicated and security controlled access to the data. |
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| This empowers the central decision-makers to monitor the malaria situation in the event of an outbreak, and those health facilities who are reporting to monitor their malaria stock capacity. This valuable information is disseminated around the country within hours of the weekly reports being transmitted via the ARGOS technology. The information viewed is in a fully analysed format allowing immediate comparison of surveillance data over time and between various sentinel sites within the country. |
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