The Role of Outdoor Mosquito Management in Malaria Control

In Africa, malaria prevention has long focused on self-protection such as bed nets, indoor spraying, and repellents. While effective indoors, these tools do little against mosquitoes outdoors and these interventions have limited reach. Advancing progress will require integrated mosquito management that tackles the full mosquito lifecycle and curbs populations before they spread disease (Valent BioSciences).

With traditional funding streams becoming scarce, African countries are exploring alternative models to support comprehensive control efforts. Nations like Benin are leading the way, seeking investments from nontraditional sectors such as tourism and private capital, and positioning themselves as models of self-sufficiency and innovation (ALMA).
A critical but often overlooked component of this evolution is public education. Many communities remain unaware that outdoor mosquito management, including larviciding and adulticiding, is not only effective but essential. This conversation will address widespread misconceptions that bite protection alone is sufficient and emphasize the importance of strategies like source reduction, habitat control, and integrated field programs.

Valent BioSciences brings a unique, cross-sectoral lens to this topic, with deep roots in both mosquito control and environmental stewardship. With Jason Clark, Director, Global Public Health and Forest Health, Silas Majambere, Business Manager from Valent Biosciences anchoring the conversation, this session will explore how integrated, outdoor-focused mosquito management can redefine malaria prevention and why now is the time to push this shift onto the global health agenda.