New malaria-control tool protects communities in Borno State

Over 31,000 Guardian™ spatial emanators were distributed to households in Borno State, Nigeria protecting around 42,000 people at high risk of malaria. An effective community engagement strategy ensured 100% acceptance from 7,745 households.

In Nigeria, malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, accounting for the highest malaria burden globally. Approximately 24.3% of global malaria cases and 30.3% of malaria-related deaths were attributed to the country (WHO World Malaria Report 2025).

Communities in Borno State face an even higher risk of malaria due to protracted conflict, population displacement, seasonal flooding, and limited access to healthcare, making the innovative tool a game changer for vector control in humanitarian settings.

Guardian™ is a passive spatial emanator developed by SC Johnson that continuously releases a measured concentration of transfluthrin into the surrounding air disrupting mosquito host-seeking behaviour, that lasts for 12 months.

The efficacy of Guardian™ has been proven to decrease malaria in these settings in a published study by the MENTOR team 🔗 https://lnkd.in/evnTr9zH

The campaign in June also delivered health education messages on malaria prevention, the proper installation of maintenance of Guardian™, and other key public health information designed to encourage sustainable behaviour change.

As MENTOR supports the large scale implementation of this tool in humanitarian settings, we are learning that complementary health education about the tool is key to ensure long term acceptability and use.

Supported by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, SC Johnson and Flexport, and delivered in partnership with Borno State Ministry of Health, SMEP, NMEP, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and community leaders.