Vector-control synergies, between 'Roll Back Malaria' and the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, in the African Region

The perspectives and opportunities for controlling the mosquito vectors of Wuchereria bancrofti in tropical Africa are summarized and discussed. The countries covered by the World Health Organization's African Region have about one third of the world's burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) as well as large shares of the planet's malaria and of many other vector-borne diseases. African LF is entirely caused by nocturnally periodic W. bancrofti, a filarial nematode that is transmitted in urban East Africa by Culex quinquefasciatus, and in rural areas across tropical Africa by the same anopheline species that transmit the Plasmodium spp. causing human malaria. The standard practices for controlling the vectors of malarial parasites - house-spraying with residual insecticides and the use of bednets (preferably pre-treated with insecticide) for personal and community protection - can be simultaneously effective against both LF and malaria. Although mass drug administrations remain the mainstay of the current strategy for LF elimination, the vector-control activities of the 'Roll Back Malaria' campaign can be expected to reduce the transmission of W bancrofti in co-endemic areas. The relevant issues of programme management and integrated vector control are briefly reviewed.