WHO endorses game-changing mosquito repellent tech to combat malaria

By David Essex

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended the use of spatial emanators—a revolutionary new class of mosquito control tools—to fight malaria, marking the first major vector control innovation in decades.

Also known as spatial repellents, these devices release active ingredients into the air to repel, disorient, and kill malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, offering protection even during daytime hours when traditional bed nets fall short.

“This recommendation opens the door to a new intervention for national malaria control programmes at a time when innovation is urgently needed,” said Dr Daniel Ngamije, Acting Director for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at WHO.

WHO has prequalified two spatial emanator products—Mosquito Shield and Guardian, both developed by SC Johnson & Son, Inc. These devices use transfluthrin, a powerful mosquito-repelling compound, and offer protection lasting from one month to twelve months, depending on the product.

 “Spatial repellents are the first new class of vector control intervention in decades… At a time when progress against malaria has stalled, this is a significant step forward,” said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid.

The prequalification status means these products are now eligible for procurement by UN agencies and national health programmes, potentially accelerating access in malaria-endemic regions.

WHO’s conditional recommendation is based on five independent studies showing that spatial emanators, when used alongside insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), significantly reduce malaria transmission. However, further research is underway to evaluate their standalone effectiveness and outdoor use.

Early trials in Peru and Southeast Asia suggest spatial emanators may also reduce transmission of dengue and other arboviruses, opening the door to broader public health applications.

Global health partners are now racing to fill evidence gaps and expand the use cases for spatial emanators, with WHO guideline groups poised to update recommendations as new data emerges.

The breakthrough could reshape the global fight against mosquito-borne diseases—bringing hope to millions at risk.