Dramatic changes in malaria after the free distribution of mosquito nets in Papua New Guinea

Background Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a South Pacific island nation with a complex malaria epidemiology. Four malaria species are transmitted by a variety of anopheline vectors filling the diverse ecological niches. Attempts to eliminate malaria in PNG in the 1950s -70s failed largely due to operational difficulties related to the unique implementation environment. Since 2004, the national malaria control program has been supported by two consecutive grants from the Global Fund resulting in the first country-wide free distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets.