From September 19th to 23rd, IVCC attended the International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria (ICTMM) 2024 in Kuching, Malaysia. This congress, hosted by the International Federation for Tropical Medicine, highlighted global efforts and interdisciplinary research aimed at eliminating tropical diseases.
IVCC’s attendance was driven by its Indo-Pacific Initiative (funded by the Australian Government’s Dept for Foreign Affairs and Trade), particularly the NATNAT project, which seeks to tackle the growing challenge of malaria in Papua New Guinea (PNG). As malaria rises, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) alone are insufficient to achieve elimination, making the evaluation and adoption of novel vector control tools (VCTs) essential.
NATNAT — which began in 2019 and was recently extended until 2027 — aims to strengthen PNG’s capacity to evaluate new VCTs, including building laboratory and field capabilities, conducting field evaluations, and investigating community acceptance of these tools. The project, which is led by Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), Burnet Institute and James Cook University, has also supported the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) in establishing a national network for assessing and adopting new interventions, which is critical for bolstering malaria control in PNG.
At ICTMM, IVCC partners presented the results of a study on the efficacy of a metofluthrin spatial emanator (SumiOne™) in coastal villages of PNG. The talk, delivered by Michelle Katusele from the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), showcased the promising impact of this novel VCT on malaria transmission.
By participating in ICTMM 2024, IVCC deepened its understanding of tropical disease challenges and strengthened partnerships, advancing efforts to bring new vector control solutions to the Indo-Pacific region.
The International Conference on Tropical Medicine and Malaria offered an opportunity for the IVCC IndoPacific Initiative team to meet with regional colleagues, learn the latest news and discuss IVCC’s potential future work in the region. Pictured here, with Dr. Macdonald are some of the colleagues, who for decades, have been leading entomology and vector control in the region. (Left to right): Prof. Indra Vythilingam, U. Malaya; Jeffrey Hii (Australia); Chang Moh Seng, U. Malaysia/Sarawak retired WHO/Cambodia; Leonard Ortega, former SEARO Regional Advisor Malaria; former Myanmar WHO; Cecil Hugo, founder Asian Collaborative Training Network Malaria (ACTMalaria); Dr. Michael Macdonald, IVCC consultant; Prof. Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap, Kasetsart University, Thailand; Theeraphap’s faculty colleague and two of Cecil’s colleagues.