The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project (BIMEP) is an award-winning, public-private partnership that began in 2004 as the Bioko Island Malaria Control Project (BIMCP). Since then, the project has grown and evolved over the years with a focus on eliminating malaria from the island as well as strengthening Equatorial Guinea’s health systems and workforce.
The BIMCP began with the intent of applying mosquito-control approaches to control malaria on Bioko Island. Such efforts involved indoor residual spraying, distributing long-lasting insecticide treated nets, conducting entomological monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment, and other methods.
Marathon Oil and partners in the BIMCP commemorated the 10-year anniversary of the life-saving project in 2014. Watch the "Hope for Bioko" video below:
Location
Equatorial Guinea, Africa
Partners
Sanaria, IHI, Swiss TPH, LSHTM, Texas A&M, LSTM, and IHME at University of Washington
Funders
Government of Equatorial Guinea, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy, SonaGas, GEPetrol, and Atlantic Methanol (AMPCO)
As the BIMCP evolved, it became a partner in developing a next generation malaria vaccine candidate with the goal of preventing blood-stage infection through a whole parasite Plasmodium falciparum (PfSPZ) vaccine that contains radiation attenuated sporozoites. This effort is part of a coalition of more than 65 research institutions led by Sanaria, Inc.
Our team has developed and strengthened local capacity for future research and laboratory infrastructure as well as increased knowledge of successful elimination strategies in terms of vector control and prevention.
Forming the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project
These important efforts — the BIMCP and the PfSPZ malaria vaccine development — came together as the BIMEP in 2019 with the ultimate goal of interrupting malaria transmission on Bioko Island.
These interventions resulted in reducing malaria prevalence on Bioko Island by 55% in children between 2 and 14 years old (from 45% in 2004 to 20% in 2020), the group with the highest prevalence rates on the island. Our efforts also achieved a 63% reduction of all-cause mortality among children under 5 years old and an overall reduction of 97% in the rate of transmission of malaria by mosquitoes on Bioko Island.
Since the merging to become the BIMEP, MCD Global Health has been adaptive and innovative in its techniques in response to collected data. For example, our team has conducted indoor residual spraying for the entire island with 50% and 80% trial arms, offering focal point net distribution in urban areas, larval source management, strengthening of district health systems, and pushing toward multisector collaboration.
Highlights of Our Work
Learning how to hang an insecticide-treated bednet to prevent potential mosquito bites during the night.
BIMEP staff member looking through hard and digital files to determine case management in mitigating mosquito populations on Bioko Island.
BIMEP staff member conducting a malaria rapid diagnostic test by drawing blood from a child's finger on Bioko Island.
Numerous times a year, seasonal workers are trained and sent out to conduct indoor residential spraying to help prevent malaria from spreading.
Larviciding, an insecticide used to kill mosquito larvae before they grow into adults, has historical success in controlling mosquito populations, especially in urban settings where breeding sites are more accessible.
News & Updates
Don’t Miss MCD International’s Presentations at ASTMH 2021
Success of RTS,S/AS01 Malaria Vaccine Paves the Way for Next Generation PfSPZ Vaccine for Malaria Elimination
Maine Company Wins U.S. Department of State Award for Fighting Malaria
