Rising temperatures fuel mosquito proliferation

Madagascar is ramping up its efforts to fight malaria by distributing nearly 15 million mosquito nets for free across most of the country between September and December.

Soon, the majority of households in Madagascar will have access to insecticide-treated long-lasting mosquito nets (LLINs) to protect against malaria. These nets will be distributed across twenty-three regions, except a few central districts, including Antananarivo Renivohitra, Avaradrano, Atsimondrano, and Soavinandriana Itasy, which are not part of this mass distribution initiative led by the Ministry of Health.

The strategy for combating malaria is tailored to the epidemic’s progression. The number of regions receiving mosquito nets has increased due to the growing presence of native mosquito populations in areas currently struggling with the disease. National data indicates a sharp rise in malaria cases this year. For instance, the Analamanga region, long considered unsuitable for mosquito development, has reported 50,000 cases between the start of the year and the end of July.

The resurgence of malaria in Madagascar’s highlands is largely due to climate change, with rising temperatures and increased rainfall creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. The transportation of the 14.8 million mosquito nets to the beneficiary districts is already in progress. The National Malaria Control Program aims to complete the distribution between September and December.