The interagency field handbook was developed to set out effective malaria control responses in humanitarian emergencies, particularly during the acute phase when reliance on international humanitarian assistance is greatest. This second edition represents a thorough updating and revision of the first edition. The structure remains similar, but includes an additional chapter on humanitarian coordination.

Early, rapid diagnosis of malaria is gaining increasing importance in health programmes in endemic countries in response to increasing drug costs and recognition of the importance of early, correct treatment to the reduction in malaria morbidity and mortality.

La finalidad del presente documento es proporcionar un marco para eliminar la malaria a los países donde esta enfermedad es endémica. Se facilita orientación sobre las herramientas, las actividades y las estrategias dinámicas necesarias para lograr la interrupción de la transmisión y prevenir el restablecimiento de la enfermedad. Asimismo, se describe el proceso para obtener la certificación de eliminación de la malaria que otorga la OMS. El marco tiene por objeto sentar las bases para los planes nacionales estratégicos de eliminación de la malaria y debe adaptarse a los contextos locales.

Achieving adequate concentrations of antimalarial drugs in the blood is pivotal to curing malaria. Accurate measurement of drug concentrations is essential to ensure optimal dosing of the currently available and newly introduced antimalarial drugs and for differentiating inadequate exposure to a drug from true resistance to the drug.

WHO recommendations on the use of pesticides in public health are valid ONLY if linked to WHO specifications for their quality control.