2,313 People in 111 Countries Join Malaria Training Event

When 2,313 health professionals from 111 countries logged on for a malaria training course in March, they proved that the fight against this deadly disease has become truly global.

The Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network held its annual online training on mosquito surveillance from March 11 to 13, 2026. What started years ago as a small technical workshop has grown into one of the most anticipated learning events in global health.

The three-day course taught participants how to track mosquito populations, detect changes in disease risk, and target prevention efforts more effectively. Professor Neil Lobo from the University of Notre Dame led sessions that focused on real-world challenges rather than just theory.

Participants came from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. They included frontline health workers, researchers, and program leaders who all share one mission: stopping malaria in their communities.

The training covered practical topics like how to collect data on mosquitoes, identify gaps in protection, and choose the right surveillance methods. These skills help health programs understand local mosquito behavior and adapt their strategies as conditions change.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of this training extends far beyond three days of learning. Participants showed a 12 percent increase in knowledge scores between the start and end of the course, demonstrating real gains in understanding complex surveillance concepts.

That knowledge translates directly into stronger malaria control programs in communities around the world. When health workers understand mosquito behavior better, they can protect more people with fewer resources.

The training also created a global network of professionals who can now share solutions and support each other. Challenges like insecticide resistance and changing mosquito behavior affect countries everywhere, making this kind of cross-border collaboration essential.

Malaria Consortium and APMEN's Vector Control Working Group co-hosted the event. Dr. Leo Braack, Senior Vector Control Specialist at Malaria Consortium, moderated all sessions.

The strong turnout shows that demand for practical, high-quality training in malaria control keeps growing. Countries facing evolving challenges need surveillance systems that can adapt, and that requires trained professionals who understand the science.

All course materials, including slides and recordings, are now available online for anyone who wants to learn. This commitment to open access means the training's impact will continue long after the live sessions ended.

As mosquito-borne diseases continue to threaten billions of people worldwide, this kind of collaborative learning offers real hope for progress toward a malaria-free future.