NATNAT: Newly Adapted Tools and Network Against Mosquito Borne Disease Transmission

Malaria transmission has been on the rise in PNG and Solomon Islands in recent years.  

NATNAT is a partnership to respond, led by the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) and the National Malaria Control Program. Our work focuses on vector control tools – tools we can use to control mosquitos, the ‘vectors’ that transmit malaria. Building on 7 years of impact, our work includes:

• evaluating new vector-control tools that are complementary to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) 

• strengthening vector control tool research in PNG  

• building partnerships and collaborations through the PNG-led Vector Contol Network. 

From discovery in labs to delivery in the field, we're supporting the fight against malaria and other vector-borne diseases in PNG, strengthening health systems in the Pacific region for the future. 

How NATNAT addresses gaps in protection 

Insecticide-treated bed nets are currently the only vector control intervention distributed nationally in PNG to reduce the risk of mosquitos biting and transmitting malaria. 

Research conducted by the PNGIMR shows that mosquitos in PNG often bite people outdoors and during early evening hours, when they are not protected by insecticide-treated nets. This is a critical gap in malaria prevention in PNG. 

The NATNAT project is investigating additional vector control tools, to evaluate how effective and suitable they are in the PNG context. 

From 2024 to 2028, we’re evaluating the use of spatial emanators as a way to control the spread of malaria by mosquitos. This builds on our previous work looking at different ways to reduce malaria, including: 

• spraying long-lasting insecticides (residual spraying) 

• reducing breeding sites (larval source management). 

To evaluate spatial emanators, we’re running studies across PNG, working in both labs (semi-field studies) and in communities. 

Using spatial emanators to fight malaria 

Spatial emanators are small insecticide-filled plastic cassettes that hang on the wall or from the ceiling. They are made of fabric and plastic, and don’t need electricity, flames or batteries to work. Instead, they passively emit chemicals that affect mosquitos, disorienting, repelling or killing them. Spatial emanators are the first new category of vector control tool that has been recommended for use by the World Health Organization in several decades. 

Like insecticide-treated nets, spatial emanators are approved for indoor use. But in PNG, many people live outdoor-centred lifestyles. We want to test whether they can work outdoors to reduce malaria. Their effectiveness could depend on the location, housing structure, how people behave and move, and different mosquito behaviours. 

Through the NATNAT project, we have evaluated several spatial emanator products in laboratory, semi-field and field studies.  

In one entomological field study, our results showed that SC Johnson Guardian spatial emanators reduced mosquito biting when deployed in both outdoor and indoor settings (M. Katusele, manuscript in preparation).

• Outdoors: 50–60% reduction in Anopheles mosquito biting for up to 6 months.

• Indoors: 70–80% reduction in Anopheles mosquito biting at approximately 8 to 9 months after deployment. 

As part of our WinMal trial, we’re building on those studies to understand whether GuardianTM can reduce malaria infection risk in PNG communties.