Defeat malaria in a generation – here’s how

The world could be free of malaria – one of the oldest and deadliest diseases to affect humanity – within a generation, a major report says.

Each year there are still more than 200 million cases of the disease, which mostly kills young children.

The report says eradicating malaria is no longer a distant dream, but wiping out the parasite will probably need an extra $2bn (£1.6bn) of annual funding.

Experts say eradication is a “goal of epic proportions”.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites.

These are spread from person to person by the bite of female mosquitoes in search of a blood meal.

Once infected, people become very sick with a severe fever and shaking chills.

The parasites infect cells in the liver and red blood cells, and other symptoms include anaemia.

Eventually the disease takes a toll on the whole body, including the brain, and can be fatal.

Around 435,000 people – mostly children – die from malaria each year.

How is it going so far?

The world has already made huge progress against malaria.

Since 2000:

• the number of countries with malaria has fallen from 106 to 86
• cases have fallen by 36%
• the death rate has fallen by 60%

This is largely down to widespread access to ways of preventing mosquito bites, such as bed nets treated with insecticide, and better drugs for treating people who are infected.

“Despite unprecedented progress, malaria continues to strip communities around the world of promise and economic potential,” said Dr Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho, one of the report authors.

“This is particularly true in Africa, where just five countries account for nearly half of the global burden.”

Why is this report important?

Eradicating malaria – effectively wiping it off the face of the planet – would be a monumental achievement.

The report was commissioned by the World Health Organization three years ago to assess how feasible it would be, and how much it would cost.

Forty-one of the world’s leading malaria experts – ranging from scientists to economists – have concluded that it can be done by 2050.

Their report, published in the Lancet, is being described as “the first of its kind”.

“For too long, malaria eradication has been a distant dream, but now we have evidence that malaria can and should be eradicated by 2050,” said Sir Richard Feachem, one of the report authors.

“This report shows that eradication is possible within a generation.”

However, he warned it would take “bold action” in order to achieve the goal.

SRC:BBCNEWS