Vector control in China, from malaria endemic to elimination and challenges ahead

Xinyu Feng; Jun Feng; Li Zhang; Hong Tu; Zhigui Xia

doi:10.1186/s40249-022-00971-3

Vector control in China, from malaria endemic to elimination and challenges ahead

Infect Dis Poverty. 2022 May 13;11(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s40249-022-00971-3.

Authors

Xinyu Feng^#¹, Jun Feng^#², Li Zhang¹, Hong Tu¹, Zhigui Xia³

Affiliations

¹ National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.
² Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336, China.
³ National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China. xiazg@nipd.chinacdc.cn.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Vector control is an important approach to preventing and controlling malaria. From the malaria epidemic to malaria elimination in China, vector control has played an essential and irreplaceable role in the historical process. This review systematically summarizes the evolution, adjustment, and optimization of vector control strategy towards elimination and discusses the challenges ahead.

Main text: This review first summarizes the evolution of vector control strategies during different stages of malaria epidemic, control, elimination, and post-elimination in China. We then distill the vector control experience and lessons in different stages. We discuss the current and future challenges and propose future research directions and developments for novel malaria vector control strategies.

Results: Vector control has played an invaluable role in achieving malaria elimination. China adopted different prevention and control measures in response to the different malaria-endemic situations and vector distributions. Firstly, baseline surveys were initiated to establish the entomological data and helped clarify the prevention priorities and targets. Secondly, targeted and adjusted vector control strategies were conducted in various regions according to the local epidemic characteristics and different vector species. Thirdly, scientific research facilitated efficient vector-control strategies. In addition, the overall economic and social development have promoted environmental improvement, personal protection, and health care. Prediction of the vector distribution was integrated into risk assessment strategies, allowing for sustaining achievements in risk areas.

Conclusions: The tailored and adapted vector control strategies have played a critical role in China's malaria prevention, control, and elimination. Achievements and lessons learned on vector control from this progress would provide a practical reference in coping with the challenges and potential barriers other countries face in the global effort to eliminate malaria.

Keywords: Anopheles; China; Elimination; Endemic; Malaria; Mosquito; Vector control.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Anopheles* / physiology
China / epidemiology
Malaria* / epidemiology
Malaria* / prevention & control
Mosquito Control
Mosquito Vectors

Grants and funding

81802039/National Natural Science Foundation of China