From PRE- to complete elimination: preVENTing recurrent malaria epidemics in Zanzibar (PREVENT)

project summary

Zanzibar has made remarkable progress in reducing malaria transmission over the past two decades. However, recent years have seen a resurgence of intense outbreaks, particularly among young adult males in urban areas. The PREVENT project seeks to understand the underlying causes of this epidemiological shift and to develop targeted, evidence-based interventions to support malaria elimination efforts.

The project investigates key drivers of epidemic malaria, including human mobility between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, behavioral and socio-economic risk factors, parasite genetics, and changes in mosquito ecology. Through five interdisciplinary work packages, the project integrates epidemiological, entomological, genomic, and social science approaches.

Innovative technologies such as drone-based remote sensing and environmental DNA (eDNA) will be used to detect and map mosquito breeding sites, offering scalable and cost-effective tools for early outbreak detection. Parasite samples will be analyzed using Oxford Nanopore sequencing to determine origin, relatedness, and drug resistance patterns, while antibody assays will assess individual exposure to mosquito bites.

The project will also engage stakeholders in co-creating and pilot-testing a context-specific intervention targeting high-risk populations and transmission hotspots. This includes strengthening surveillance systems, improving case management, and enhancing community engagement.

By embedding advanced tools and training within local institutions, PREVENT contributes to long-term research capacity in Zanzibar. The project supports two PhD students and two postdoctoral researchers, and builds on strong partnerships between Danish and Tanzanian institutions. Ultimately, PREVENT aims to generate actionable knowledge to improve epidemic preparedness and accelerate progress toward malaria elimination in Zanzibar and similar settings.