Five Minutes | Exclusive Malaria Interviews Fight Malaria

Long-lasting insecticidal bednets, or LLINs for short, are an integral part of the global effort to fight malaria, with the WHO recommending that everyone, all 3.4 billion people, at risk of malaria should have access to one.

But how effective are they? To try and understand how bednets are being used in the field, a team of researchers led by Paul Krezanoski of the University of California have developed the so-called SmartNet, a remote bednet monitor.

I speak to Paul about the unreliable mechanisms of monitoring bednet use and the technology behind the SmartNet.

When testing for malaria, there are two primary options: lab-based diagnosis and RTDs, Rapid Diagnostic Tests. There are pros and cons with each.

Lab-based diagnosis, whilst accurate, require expert training and a well-equipped lab, which may not be available in low-resource settings. RTDs, whilst portable and inexpensive, are not always accurate, reporting false positives and false negatives.

But both of these methods require a blood sample from the patient. This in itself poses many risks; bruising, swelling and even infection.

One of the new methods of malaria diagnosis in development does not require a blood sample - the so-called Matiscope by Brian Gitta, a Ugandan inventor.

A new study has found that fungus, genetically enhanced to produce spider toxin, can kill a large-number of malaria-carrying mosquitos. 

I speak with Brian Lovett, who is one of the authors of the paper.

In 2018, leaders of the Commonwealth countries pledged to reduce malaria cases by half by 2023. 

One year on, what has been done to try and achieve that aim?Malaria No More held a panel in London to try and answer that very question.

To take a look at where we are in the fight against malaria, I’m joined by Michal Fishman of Malaria No More. 

She’s co-chairs the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, which brings together organisations to reduce malaria cases.

Malaria No More has just launched a petition, with David Beckham as its figurehead. The petition aims to get the attention of world leaders ahead of critical funding decisions for The Global Fund.

But this petition is not asking for signatures or for your email address, it wants your voice, and for you to recording yourself saying ‘Malaria Must Die’.

To learn more, I’m joined by Dr Elvis Eze, who is part of the campaign.