RACDT-PNG - Operational feasibility of malaria Reactive Case Detection and Treatment in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea

In low-transmission settings, malaria infections tend to cluster geographically, often in households where a clinical “index case” has been identified. As National Malaria Control Programs (NMCPs) transition toward elimination, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends moving from passive to reactive surveillance to target this hidden reservoir of infections. Strategies such as Reactive Case Detection and Treatment (RACDT) focus on testing and treating individuals living near or co-exposed with a confirmed patient to interrupt local transmission chains.

The Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea (PNG) presents a suitable setting for RACDT due to its low malaria burden. While previous research indicated that schoolchildren were no effective triggers for reactive interventions, this study aims to fill a critical operational gap by evaluating whether clinical index cased identified through passive case detection can serve as effective triggers for RACDT. By assessing the feasibility and operational coverage of RACDT, the project will provide the PNG NMCP with actionable evidence required to transition from control toward elimination strategies in specific areas of PNG.