PMI VectorLink Burundi

Malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Burundi. In 2016, the number of malaria cases reached 8.3 million, out of a population of 11 million. The malaria epidemic is concentrated in the eastern, central, and northern parts of the country. The most important determinant of this situation is an increase in the number of vectors transmitting malaria. A mass distribution campaign of mosquito nets was conducted in December 2019 with the support from the Global Fund, UNICEF, and USAID. The campaign has distributed 6,784,254 insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) including standard deltamethrin-based nets (Yorkool) and PBO nets (Permanet 3.0). This ITN distribution is expected to increase ITN ownership – measured as the proportion of households owning at least one ITN – at 96.7% according to the mass distribution campaign report. The monitoring of mosquito populations and behaviors are critical for evidence-based planning to control malaria in Burundi.

In year five (October 2021 – September 2022), PMI VectorLink supported the NMCP to conduct entomological monitoring, insecticide resistance monitoring, ITN durability monitoring, and provide indoor residual spraying (IRS) technical assistance in the country. The project’s primary objective is to strengthen the national capacity in vector surveillance. The support included technical assistance; collection of data on vector species composition, behavior, and susceptibility to the main classes of insecticides used in vector control; the operationalization of nine sentinel sites; and development of national human resources for entomological surveillance.

Activities and accomplishments:

• PMI VectorLink Burundi guided evidence-based decision making for IRS implementation by recommending the appropriate campaign season through establishing the seasonality of malaria vector populations and monitoring vector’s susceptibility to insecticides.
• The project conducted ITN durability monitoring and informed the national program on the short life span of nets distributed in the 2019 mass campaign.
• The team provided technical support for the IRS program implemented by the government through monitoring the residual efficacy and sharing best practices.
• The project strengthened the capacity of the NMCP, enabling the district staff to conduct vector surveillance and morphological identifications with limited support from the project team.
• PMI VectorLink Burundi established laboratory capacity for PCR assays at INSP, allowing the institute to stop sending mosquito samples outside of the country.

Capacity Building
Health Systems & Op. Research
Impact of Interventions
Leadership & Governance
Surveillance
Vector Control

Oct 2017 — Jul 2023

Burundi

The PMI VectorLink Project