In the world there is a decrease in the death rate from malaria
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Over the past 13 years, the number of people dying from malaria has become significantly less, in addition, there has been a decline in new cases (according to the malaria report, which was voiced in Geneva).
Since 2000, the world has almost halved the death rate from malaria. In Africa, where 90% of the cases died of malaria, the number of deaths decreased by 54%.
Studies have shown that in Africa, despite an increase in the population, fewer people are infected every year (since 2000, the number of infected people has decreased by 45 million).
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, noted that it is realistic to cope with malaria today, there are all the tools necessary for this, however, to ensure stable results, it is necessary to provide the necessary tools for all who need it.
Today, there is access to insecticide-treated bed nets treated with insecticide (half of the people who were in Africa and had an increased risk of contracting malaria were provided with similar protective equipment). WHO has noted that every effort will be made to provide all those in need with the necessary protective equipment, in particular mosquito nets.
In the world, diagnostic testing has become an order of magnitude better, in addition, today we specialists carry out successful treatment of a dangerous disease.
Today, more and more countries are making successful steps towards the complete elimination of infectious diseases, including malaria. In 2013, two countries have already managed to completely exclude infection with a dangerous disease among the local population (Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka).
However, despite some successes, some problems continue to persist. Over the next few years, it will be seen whether humanity can sustain the results already achieved.
In 2013, in some regions of Africa where transmission of an infectious disease is observed, there was a shortage of nets treated with a special substance.
In addition, the spraying of insecticide in the premises (the main preventive measure against the disease) led to the resistance of the vectors to the substance.
Today, diagnostic tests are widely used, successful treatment is carried out, however, many people do not have access to them.
There is also a slow rate of improvement in preventive measures during pregnancy and children under 5 years.
According to Pedro Alonzo (head of the global malaria program), with the necessary funding, progress will continue in the future.
Since 2005, the funding of activities to combat the dangerous disease has increased several times, however, this is not enough to achieve the set global goals.
In addition, the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus had a negative impact on the treatment and prevention of malaria in West Africa.
Given that high levels of infection with malaria occur in these regions, WHO issued a number of recommendations on combating the disease during the Ebola epidemic (the spread of mosquito nets to these countries, antimalarial drugs in areas particularly at risk of malaria, etc.).
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