Operational manual on indoor residual spraying: Control of vectors of malaria, Aedes-borne diseases, Chagas disease, leishmaniases and lymphatic filariasis

This operational manual is designed to provide guidance on the establishment, management, implementation, reporting and evaluation of safe and effective Indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaigns within the context of a locally adapted and sustainable vector control programme. Earlier versions had a scope limited to IRS against Anopheles for prevention and control of malaria (4,5). In 2023, the document was extended significantly to include guidance on IRS for other vector-borne diseases also, in recognition that IRS can potentially impact on multiple diseases and in line with the Global vector control response 2017–2030 (6). Updates were also made to reflect current World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, standards and best practices for IRS. Substantive content was drawn from materials provided by the United States Agency for International Development/United States President’s Malaria Initiative/Abt Associates.

This is the first attempt to expand WHO guidance originally developed for IRS against malaria to other vectors. A heavy focus has remained on routine IRS operations in residences using hand compression sprayers. It is expected that later iterations of this document will be adapted for greater consideration of focal and reactive IRS, as well as control of other disease vectors beyond mosquitoes.

This manual forms a companion document to the WHO guidelines for malaria (7), draws on content from the Operational manual on leishmaniasis vector control, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation (2) and aligns with the Manual for indoor residual spraying in urban areas for Aedes aegypti control (8). Other related WHO resources include Lymphatic filariasis: a handbook of practical entomology for national lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes (9) and Technical document for the implementation of interventions based on generic operational scenarios for Aedes aegypti control (10). Companion documents such as this manual are made available in electronic form to enable rapid update as soon as warranted by new WHO recommendations or guidance.

This manual is divided into four key sections. The first section introduces the concepts of IRS and the purpose of the manual. The second outlines the requirements for establishing and managing an IRS programme. The third details operational aspects of how to conduct household spraying. The fourth highlights the importance and components of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for IRS activities. Useful resources are available in the references, with example forms available in the annexes.

The information provided can support:

• development or refinement of national IRS strategies;
• development or update of IRS operational guidelines and procedures;
• development or update of training materials; • assessment of delivery and coverage of IRS operations; and
• assessment of spray quality and impact of IRS operations.

The key audience for this document is therefore vector-borne disease control programme managers and staff, and implementing or private-sector partners at the national, provincial/state or local levels, who are responsible for the design, planning or implementation of vector control operations