mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
Should core malaria vector control interventions be maintained in view of the rapid global spread of COVID-19?
As of March 2020, there have been reports of the suspension of insecticide-
treated net (ITN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaigns in several
African countries due to concerns around exposure to COVID-19. Suspending such
campaigns will leave many vulnerable populations at greater risk of malaria,
particularly young children and pregnant women.
WHO strongly encourages countries not to suspend the planning **** for –
or implementation of – vector control activities, including ITN and IRS
campaigns, while ensuring these services are delivered using best practices
to protect health workers and communities from
COVID-19 infection. Modifications of planned distribution strategies may be
needed to minimize exposure to the coronavirus.
WHO commends the leaders of Benin, Chad, the Central African Republic, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda for
committing to move forward with ITN campaigns during the pandemic. Other
countries are adapting their net distribution strategies to ensure households
receive the nets as quickly and safely as possible.
Together with partners, WHO has developed guidance to ensure that those
suffering from malaria can safely receive the care they need in COVID-19
settings. Tailoring malaria interventions in the COVID-19
response includes guidance on the
prevention of infection through vector control and chemoprevention, testing,
treatment of cases, clinical services, supply chain and laboratory activities.
The document is consistent with broader WHO
guidance on how
to maintain essential health services during the pandemic.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
Why is WHO particularly concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in malaria-affected areas?
Experience from previous disease outbreaks has shown the disruptive effect on
health service delivery and the consequences for diseases such as malaria. The
2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, for example,
undermined malaria control efforts and led to a massive increase in malaria-
related illness and death in the 3 countries.
A new modelling analysis from
WHO and partners, published on 23 April, found that the number of malaria deaths in
sub-Saharan Africa could double this year alone if there are severe
disruptions in access to insecticide-treated nets and antimalarial medicines
due to COVID-19. These projections reinforce the critical importance of
sustaining efforts to prevent, detect and treat malaria during the pandemic.
In all regions, protective measures should be utilized to minimize the risk of
COVID-19 transmission between patients, communities and health providers. WHO
and partners have developed guidance
on how to safely maintain malaria
prevention and treatment services in COVID-19 settings.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
What is WHO doing to support malaria-affected countries in the context of COVID-19?
The WHO Global Malaria Programme is leading a cross-partner
effort to mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus
in malaria-affected countries and, where possible, contribute towards a
successful COVID-19 response. The work is being carried out in close
collaboration with colleagues based at WHO headquarters, regional offices and
country level.
In March 2020, before the pandemic had secured a strong footing in Africa, WHO
sounded an urgent call for maintaining core malaria prevention and
treatment services while protecting health workers and communities against
COVID-19 transmission. The findings of a modelling
analysis from WHO and partners,
published in April, reinforced the WHO call for continuity of malaria services
during then pandemic.
In collaboration with partners, WHO developed technical guidance for countries
on how to safely maintain malaria prevention and treatment in COVID-19
settings. Tailoring malaria interventions in the COVID-19
response  is consistent with broader WHO
guidance on how
to maintain essential health services during the pandemic.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
How many malaria-affected countries have reported cases of COVID-19?
Malaria-endemic countries in all WHO have **** regions have reported cases of
COVID-19. In the WHO African Region, which carries more than 90% of the global
malaria burden, 45 countries had reported approximately 25 000 cases of the
disease as of 30 April 2020. The latest situation
reports on
the COVID-19 pandemic are available on the WHO website.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
What additional special measures may be needed in the context of COVID-19?
In addition to routine approaches to malaria control, there may be a case for
special measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic – such as a temporary
return to presumptive malaria treatment, or the use of mass drug
administration – which have proved useful in some previous emergencies. ****
Presumptive malaria treatment refers to treatment of a suspected malaria case
without the benefit of diagnostic confirmation (e.g. through a rapid
diagnostic test). This approach is typically reserved for extreme
circumstances, such as disease in settings where prompt diagnosis is no longer
possible.
Mass drug administration (MDA) is a WHO-recommended approach for rapidly
reducing malaria mortality and morbidity during epidemics and in complex
emergency settings. Through MDA, all individuals in a targeted population are
given antimalarial medicines – often at repeated intervals – regardless of
whether or not they show symptoms of the disease.
Such special measures should only be adopted after careful consideration of 2
key aims: lowering malaria-related mortality and keeping health workers and
communities safe. WHO is exploring concrete proposals for when and how to
activate such measures; guidance will be published in due course.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
Should WHO-recommended preventive therapies be maintained in sub-Saharan Africa?
Yes, delivery of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp),
seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), and intermittent preventive treatment
in infants (IPTi) should be maintained provided that
best practices for protecting health
workers – and other front-line workers – from COVID-19 are followed. Ensuring
access to these and other core malaria prevention tools saves lives and is an
important strategy for reducing the strain on health systems in the context of
the COVID-19 response.
 Tailoring malaria interventions in the COVID-19
response , developed by WHO and partners
, includes guidance on how to deliver preventive therapies for pregnant
women and young children in ways that protect health workers and communities
against potential COVID-19 transmission.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
What is WHO’s position on the use of Artemisia plant material for the prevention or treatment of malaria and/or COVID-19?
The most widely used antimalarial treatments, artemisinin-based combination
therapies (ACTs), are produced using the pure artemisinin compound extracted
from the plant Artemisia annua. In recent years, some news reports have
suggested that a range of non-pharmaceutical products made from Artemisia
plant material – such as herbal teas and tablets – may be effective in
preventing or treating malaria. Now, there are reports that products made from
Artemisia plant material may also have a preventive or curative effect on
COVID-19.
WHO urges extreme caution over reports touting the efficacy of such products.
As explained in a WHO position statement, there is no
scientific evidence base to support the use of non-pharmaceutical forms of
Artemisia for the prevention or treatment of malaria. There is also no
evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be prevented or treated with products
made from Artemisia -based plant material.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
Have there been disruptions in the global supply of key malaria-related commodities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. In recent weeks, there have been reports of disruptions in the supply
chains of essential malaria commodities – such as long-lasting insecticidal
nets, rapid diagnostic tests and antimalarial medicines – resulting from
lockdowns and from a suspension of the importation and exportation of goods in
response to COVID-19. WHO and partners are working together to ensure the
availability of key malaria control tools, particularly in countries with a
high burden of the disease, and that efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19
do not compromise access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment
services.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
What are the key considerations for countries that are working to eliminate malaria or prevent re-establishment of transmission?
All of the considerations described above apply to malaria-eliminating
countries and those preventing re-establishment of the disease: efforts must
be sustained to prevent, detect and treat malaria cases while preventing the
spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of those who deliver the services.
Countries that are nearing malaria elimination must protect their important
gains and avoid malaria resurgences. Countries that have eliminated malaria
must remain vigilant for any imported cases of malaria that may be occurring
to prevent reintroduction of the disease.
Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
Are there any changes to WHO guidance with respect to malaria diagnosis and treatment?
WHO guidance remains the same. Countries should not scale back efforts to
detect and treat malaria; doing so would seriously undermine the health and
well-being of millions of people infected with a potentially life-threatening
disease.
As signs and symptoms of malaria and COVID-19 can overlap (such as a fever),
public health messages will need to be adapted in malaria-endemic settings so
that people who have a fever are encouraged to seek immediate treatment rather
than stay at home; without prompt treatment, a mild case of malaria can
rapidly progress to severe illness and death.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
Does WHO recommend the use of gloves in the community to prevent transmission of COVID-19?
No, WHO does not recommend the regular use of gloves by people in the
community. The wearing of gloves may increase risks, since it can lead to
self-infection or transmission to others through touching contaminated
surfaces which is not followed by removal of gloves and hand hygiene.
Therefore, in public places such as supermarkets, in addition to physical
distancing, WHO recommends the installation of public hand hygiene stations at
the entrance and exit.
By widely improving hand hygiene practices, countries can help prevent the
spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
What are non-medical masks and what is their use?
Non-medical masks are often homemade of breathable fabrics and can be
commercially available as well. There are numerous designs for fabric masks,
but they generally cover the nose and mouth, are secured with ties or elastic
loops, include multiple layers of fabric, and can sometimes be washed and re-
used.
The evidence about the benefits of these masks is limited. One good quality
study showed that the risk of respiratory infection is increased (and not
reduced) in health care workers using cotton cloth masks when compared to
medical masks. Cloth masks are currently being recommended by some countries
as a means of source control in the general population. Although their
protective effectiveness to the wearer is unknown, they may protect others if
the wearer is a pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carrier.
WHO is continuing to gather and review data as new studies become available
and will update guidance accordingly.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
Does WHO recommend the use of non-medical masks in the community?
Currently there is not enough evidence for or against the use of masks
(medical or other) for healthy individuals in the wider community. WHO
continues to recommend that medical masks be worn by individuals who are sick
or those caring for them. WHO is actively studying the rapidly evolving
science on masks and continuously updates its guidance.
In the interim, to support countries in their decision-making process WHO has
provided advice through a risk-based approach for the use of masks in the
context of COVID-19.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
What individuals should wear medical masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 according to WHO?
Medical masks are recommended in health care settings. However, it is
important to remember that the use of masks should be combined with other key
infection prevention and control measures such as hand hygiene and physical
distancing, as they do not serve all purposes to protect against COVID-19.
WHO recommends the use of medical masks for the following individuals:
Healthcare workers
Why? Medical masks and respirators such as N95, FFP2 or equivalent are
recommended for and should be reserved for, healthcare workers while giving
care to patients. Healthcare workers are the most exposed because they are in
close contact with people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and their
surrounding environment, which are the main routes of transmission.
People who are sick and exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19
Why? Anyone who is sick, even with mild symptoms such as muscle aches,
slight cough, sore throat or fatigue, should isolate at home and use a medical
mask as much as possible according to WHO’s recommendation on home care of
patients with suspected COVID-19. Coughing, sneezing or talking can generate
droplets that can spread the infection. These droplets can reach the face of
others nearby or land on the surrounding environment. If an infected person
coughs, sneezes, or talks wearing a medical mask, this helps to protect those
nearby from infection.
Anyone taking care of a person at home who is sick with COVID-19
Why? Those caring for individuals who are sick with COVID-19 should wear a
medical mask for protection. Close and frequent contact with someone with
COVID-19 can put those caring for them at high risk. National decision makers
may also choose to recommend medical mask use for certain individuals using a
risk-based approach. This approach takes into consideration the purpose of the
mask, risk of exposure and vulnerability of the wearer, the setting and
feasibility of use and the types of masks considered.
See “Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19”.
WHO will continue to update guidance according to scientific findings.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
What types of masks are used against the spread of COVID-19?
Medical masks (also known as surgical masks): these are made from a
minimum of three layers of synthetic nonwoven materials, and configured to
have filtration layers sandwiched in the middle. These masks are available in
different thicknesses, have various levels of fluid-resistance and two levels
of filtration. These medical masks reduce the transfer of saliva or
respiratory droplets from the wearer to others and to the environment. They
also decrease the likelihood of potentially infectious droplets from others
reaching the mouth and nose of the mask wearer.
Hand hygiene should be performed before putting on a clean mask and after
removing the mask. These masks should be worn tightly around the chin and top
of the nose. The wearer should avoid touching the mask while it is on the face
and the mask should be immediately discarded if it becomes moist. Importantly,
wearing a mask must be combined with other preventive measures including
performing frequent and appropriate hand hygiene and physical distancing of at
least 1 metre (3 feet).
Respirators (also known as filtering facepiece respirators --FFR) and
available at different performance levels such as FFP2, FFP3, N95, N99):
these are specifically designed for healthcare workers who provide care to
COVID-19 patients in settings and areas where special medical procedures are
undertaken. Respirators are intended to protect the wearer when these medical
procedures aerosolize smaller particles than normal droplets into the air in
the health treatment area. Healthcare workers should be fit tested before
using a respirator to ensure that the respirator is sealed tightly on the
wearer’s face and is properly fitted. Respirators with valves should not be
used as the purpose of source control.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
What is WHO recommending to countries that are considering public mask use in community?
For countries that are currently considering the use of masks, WHO advises
decision makers to apply a risk-based approach and consider the following:
Purpose of mask use: if the intention is preventing the wearer
transmitting infection to others (that is source control) or to offer
protection to the wearer against infection (that is prevention).
Risk of exposure to COVID-19

due to epidemiology/number of cases in the population: if there is high community transmission and other measures such as contact tracing or ability to carry out testing are not possible. 
depending on occupation: e.g., individuals working in close contact with public (e.g., community health worker, cashier). 

Vulnerability of the mask wearer/population: for example, if supplies are
adequate medical masks could be used by people with comorbidities, such as
cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, older people, immunocompromised
patients.
Setting in which the population lives: settings with high population
density (e.g. refugee camps, those living in cramped conditions) and settings
where individuals are unable to keep a safe distance (e.g. crowded buses or
other transport).
Feasibility: availability and costs of masks, access to clean water to
wash non-medical masks, and ability of mask wearers to tolerate adverse
effects of wearing a mask.
Type of mask: medical mask versus non-medical mask (prioritization of
medical masks for health care providers, symptomatic people and their
caregivers).
In addition to these factors, potential advantages of the use of masks by
healthy people in the community setting include reducing potential exposure
risk from an infected person during the ‘pre-symptomatic’ period or if an
infected person is asymptomatic.
There are potential risks and disadvantages that should be taken into account
in any decision-making process on the use of masks:

Non-medical or cloth masks could increase potential for COVID-19 to infect a person if the mask is contaminated by dirty hands and touched often, or kept on other parts of the face or head and then placed back over the mouth and nose 
Depending on the type of mask used, could cause difficulty in breathing 
They can lead to facial skin breakdown 
They can lead to difficulty with communicating clearly 
They can be uncomfortable to wear 
It is possible that mask use, with unclear benefits, could create a false sense of security in the wearer, leading to diminished practice of recognized beneficial preventive measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene.
Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
What is WHO’s view on masks?
WHO recognizes that there are many questions about the use of face masks to
prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the community, and that many countries
are recommending that people wear them. Wearing a medical mask can limit the
spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. However, the
use of a mask alone is not sufficient to provide an adequate level of
protection. Other measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene should
be adopted.
WHO aims to provide the most scientifically sound yet practical
recommendations for the safety and wellbeing of individuals in all settings.
At present, WHO recommends a risk-based approach to be considered by decision
makers when deciding in which settings and circumstances non-medical masks
could be used in the community.
Please see: Advice on the use of masks.
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
Should event organizers arrange screening at venues beyond national government requirements for point of entry (PoE)?
Temperature screening alone, at exit or entry, is not an effective way to stop
international spread, since infected individuals may be in incubation period,
may not express apparent symptoms early on in the course of the disease, or
may dissimulate fever through the use of antipyretics; in addition, such
measures require substantial investments for what may bear little benefits. It
is more effective to provide prevention recommendation messages to travellers
and to collect health declarations at arrival, with travellers’ contact
details, to allow for a proper risk assessment and a possible contact tracing
of incoming
travellers.
Event organizers should also consider the capacity to undertake this and the
management of suspected cases. However, sporting organizations may have
criteria for participation that are stricter than government requirements for
Ports of Entry into the country that are based on event risk assessment,
including organizers' healthcare capacity.
Any additional screening questionnaires for participation in events need to be
aligned with public health agencies in the jurisdiction. There is a need to
consider how to manage different groups – athletes, officials and spectators,
and the large numbers of individuals likely to arrive at a sporting event from
many oversea countries – and to follow both host country and WHO travel
advice and to
assess whether there is difficulty in obtaining accurate information about the
travel history of those individuals.
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
Are there additional safeguards event organizers can implement or recommend to athletes/officials/visitors in the context of COVID-19?
Follow standard preventative advice to the general public, including physical
distancing, in the athletes’ village.
Also promote:

signage, digital messaging to all participants and their entourages about COVID-19 and how to prevent infection
regular disinfection and cleaning of surfaces, in venues and in personal spaces 
non-sharing of equipment and cleaning of equipment after each user.

Organizers are recommended to develop a checklist (include hand gels stations,
hygiene facilities, etc.). See the event mitigation recommendations checklist
for event organizers above.
Q&A: Mass gatherings and COVID-19
What should be the criteria for excluding an athlete or other accredited participant from competing?
Agreed health criteria are needed for the exclusion of athletes from competing
and for allowing them to return to competition wherever appropriate. These
should be consistent with public health guidelines for the general population,
with risk profiles based on recent travel to high-risk community transmission
zones, recent contact with individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having
COVID-19, current symptomatology, etc. Athletes who are feeling unwell should
not participate in events.
If testing of athletes has been agreed with the local public health service
there is a need to consider test availability, time taken for receipt of test
results and host-country health services capacity.
Criteria for exclusion of officials/judges from competition and for allowing
them to return to competition where appropriate should follow guidance and
criteria for the workplace.
Requirements for the attendance of all athletes and other accredited
participants should be put in place:
– health check: travel declaration and temperature screening
– contact tracing protocols ready (with all details of those present)
– allowing extra spacing (physical distancing)
– following all hygiene precautions.
Isolation procedures for athletes and other accredited participants (e.g.
field-of-play staff, medical teams, officials who have close contact with the
athletes) who feel unwell or become symptomatic should be clear and documented
and rehearsed prior to holding the event, especially for higher risk sports,
e.g. contact sports.