The importance of asymptomatic infections in transmission has grown with the awareness that the majority of the human reservoir of infection are asymptomatic carriers [2] and these are quite difficult to target [3]. Previous malaria elimination campaigns have applied a strategy of mass drug administration: extensive treatment of entire populations, irrespective of their infection status, in one or multiple rounds [4]. Although transmission was interrupted in some cases, albeit temporarily [5], there is a reluctance to apply this method because the evidence of its impact has been mixed. A Cochrane systematic review of MDAs showed that long term reductions were not possible within the current concept and highlighted the need for studies in low- and moderate-transmission settings and studies that could address potential barriers for community uptake, and contribution to the development of drug resistance [6].