PMI VectorLink Liberia

PMI supported IRS through AIRS in Liberia from 2009 to 2013, but due to widespread pyrethroid resistance and increased costs of new insecticides, the decision was made to suspend support for indoor residual spraying (IRS) in Liberia. Since that time, PMI has increased support for entomological surveillance, including vector bionomics and insecticide resistance monitoring, and concentrated on improving universal insecticide-treated net (ITN) coverage.

In Liberia, the PMI VectorLink Project works closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), and health research institutions for vector monitoring and insecticide resistance surveillance.

Activities and accomplishments:

• At the project’s inception, Liberia lacked an insectary for rearing and keeping mosquitoes. PMI VectorLink Liberia supported the conversion of a 40-foot shipping container, known as an “insectary-in-a-box,” in response to this need, advancing the country’s capacity to conduct entomological activities such as durability monitoring.
• The project worked with the Liberia Institute of Biomedical Research (LIBR) to facilitate their capacity to conduct PCR tests to reinforce species identification from the field and expand knowledge on insecticide resistance and bloodmeal host preference of malaria-transmitting vectors.
• The team performed vector bionomics data collection across the country to understand geographical distribution, seasonal trends, and behavior of the main malaria vector in Liberia.
• The team monitored the susceptibility of the malaria vector to different insecticides used to treat ITNs.
• The project completed 36-month durability monitoring survey of Duranet ITNs, and conducted pre-distribution analysis and 12- and 24-month streamlined durability monitoring rounds for Interceptor G2 ITNs.

Diagnostics
Insecticide Resistance
Vector Control

Oct 2018 — Jul 2023

Liberia

The PMI VectorLink Project