Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) for Malaria Elimination: Beyond Resistance, Durability, and Affordability

Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have proven effective in saving millions of lives and remain the main strategy for malaria control. However, they are losing their durability due to widespread resistance, rapid fabric deterioration, chemical content degradation, and wash-induced bio-efficacy decay. These challenges along with inadequate quantification of vector behavioral responses, delayed and consistent delivery, and difficulties in evaluation and supply chain management, hinder innovation and their development. This urges the need for nets treated with new active ingredients combined with high wash resistance technology and durable fabrics to restore their long lasting effectiveness. This research calls for scientific contributions to address them for developing robust, affordable, scalable, and effective sustainable technical solutions, regulations and policies. This research combines different fields of science to guide innovation for maintaining durable efficacy, help policymakers harmonize regulations, encourage investment, support scale-up and mass distribution. We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, policy analyses, case studies, and conceptual papers that provide evidences or support new concepts. Ultimately, our aim is to ensure that next-generation LLINs reach and protect the most vulnerable populations. We invite researchers and scientists to help advance the science behind the next generation long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) that use new technologies and active ingredient with distinct modes of action to maintain durable efficacy. However, technical innovation by itself will not be enough. We also need to tackle the cost and market barriers. To achieve that, we need to understand manufacturing, donor investment, procurement, policy, regulation, distribution, and operations to find better strategies for affordable scale-up while ensuring equal access. Topic editors: Yousif Elsafi Himeidan, Dr. Varun Tyagi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84867/long-lasting-insecticidal-nets-llins-for-malaria-elimination-beyond-resistance-durability-and-affordability