MALARIA VECTOR CONTROL HISTORY AND CHALLENGES IN ETHIOPIA: MINI REVIEW

In Ethiopia, malaria has been an ancient and historical vector-borne disease. Over 75% of the land surface is malarious, and around 60% of the population is malaria at risk with varying intensity. In 1966, concerted eradication efforts began with the motivation being to eradicate malaria from Ethiopia by 1980. And indoor residual spray (IRS) with Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT) and trained local staff on vector control methods was the main focus. However, malaria prevalence increased, and the major epidemic occurs every 5-8 years. It manifests a significant problem to the economic and social development of the country. The government directed a malaria control action plan under the objectives of Roll Back Malaria (RBM), which guided prevention and control activities. Between 2005 to 2018, Ethiopia distributed around 100 million long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs), and 93.7% of the at-risk population were protected up to 2018 by the IRS. The malaria prevalence rate in 2011 was 1.3 whereas, in 2015, it decreased to 0.5. Ethiopia plans to achieve nationwide malaria elimination by 2030. Malaria is still public health threaten disease & accounts for 30% of the overall disability-adjusted life years lost in Ethiopia. And vector control interventions effectiveness has a serious obstacle due to resistance development to all available insecticide and the flexibility of Anopheles mosquito species behavior. Focuses on the history of malaria eradication and control and the controversial issues in malaria elimination. Requires thoughtful consideration of all risks, benefits, and challenges.