Resource of the Month

December 2011

WHO Global Malaria Program launches the 2011 World Malaria Report

The Global Malaria Program at the World Health Organization recently launched the 2011 World Malaria Report summarizing data received from the 99 malaria-endemic countries and highlighting global success in reducing malaria. Significant gains have been achieved over the past decade in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality with many of the malaria-eliminating countries getting even closer to achieving their goal.

November 2011

The role of anti-malarial treatment in the elimination of malaria

A recent article in Clinical Microbiology and Infection by MEG member Roly Gosling and colleagues, discusses the role of anti-malarial drugs and treatment strategies to effectively target asymptomatic carriers of infection and reduce the transmission of malaria. Strategies for targeting asymptomatic carriers are especially important in elimination settings, as they will be responsible for onward transmission. As countries reduce their malaria burden, strategies to find the last few parasites of infection will become critical in achieving elimination.

October 2011

Travel Risk, Malaria Importation and Malaria Transmission in Zanzibar

MEG members Simon Hay, Dave Smith and Andy Tatem, along with colleagues, recently published an article in Nature which highlights the significance of malaria importation in a low-endemic setting such as Zanzibar, and the critical need for a robust surveillance system to detect imported malaria cases. By quantifying malaria importation rates, identifying high-risk groups and assessing onwards transmission, malaria control efforts can be effectively targeted and onward transmission of malaria can be controlled and prevented. Being able to appropriately assess these factors will not only help a low transmission setting reach elimination, but will also assist in preventing the re-introduction of malaria once local transmission has been interrupted.

September 2011

Establishing a surveillance-response system in Isabel Province, Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands National Malaria Control Program, along with malaria researchers, conducted an assessment on the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a new approach to surveillance and response in Isabel Province. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted to assess the travel patterns of people within Isabel Province and to determine the attitudes towards a community-based surveillance program to manage suspected malaria. A robust surveillance and response system is essential in any elimination effort, and in logistically-difficult settings such as the Solomon Islands, innovative surveillance systems may prove very cost-effective.

August 2011

Modeling malaria elimination on the internet

A recent publication in Malaria Journal introduces a free, internet-based, interactive mathematical model of malaria elimination as a tool for policy makers and program implementers. This tool is designed to assist malaria programs in determining which malaria interventions to use and how best to combine them to achieve maximum impact in a variety of settings. Based on user feedback, the mathematical models will be improved over time to enhance the tool to better inform policy planning for elimination.

July 2011

Why is Plasmodium vivax a neglected tropical disease?

A recent publication in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases discusses one of the challenges faced in malaria elimination: eliminating Plasmodium vivax. Although many malaria programs are focused primarily on P. falciparum, mainly due to higher mortality rates associated with it, more people worldwide live at risk from P. vivax than P. falciparum. There is consensus among malaria experts that eliminating P. vivax will be more challenging because P. vivax is harder to prevent, diagnose and treat. Additional research is greatly needed to better understand P. vivax to develop more effective interventions, in addition to sustained financing and resources to achieve and maintain elimination.

June 2011

Conquering malaria: enhancing the impact of effective interventions towards elimination in the diverse and changing epidemiology

In a recent publication in the Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, authors discuss the importance of different interventions that would accelerate progress toward elimination. The authors stress that the international community possesses the necessary tools to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality; however, these tools are not being utilized efficiently. They summarize current interventions and highlight examples of countries which have experienced substantial reductions in malaria due to the scale-up of effective interventions. Increased funding and resources, collaborative regional approaches to elimination, and operational research on elimination, will be critical to the final stages of elimination.

May 2011

Spatio-temporal patterns of malaria infection in Bhutan: a country embarking on malaria elimination

Researchers in Bhutan - one of the 32 malaria-eliminating countries - recently conducted a spatio-temporal analysis of data collected between 1994 and 2008 to identify malaria transmission clusters and to study trends in malaria incidence over time with the goal of informing the allocation of control and elimination resources. Overall, there was a significant decrease in malaria trends, however, clusters were identified in regions where malaria transmission generally does not occur. In a low endemic setting, accurately identifying potential malaria clusters will help to control and prevent outbreaks of malaria.

March 2011

Success in controlling a major outbreak of malaria in Jamaica

A recent publication in the journal Tropical Medicine and International Health examines an outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum malaria that occurred in Jamaica between 2006 and 2009 and resulted in a dramatic increase from zero to 406 malaria cases. Ministry of Health officials mounted a massive public health response to the outbreaks including early case identification, prompt treatment, vector control, public education and intersectoral collaboration within the government. Jamaica successfully eliminated malaria in 1966, however because competent mosquito vectors still exist, the risk of reintroduction of malaria remains high. This outbreak of malaria highlights the importance of sustained capacity for surveillance and outbreak response, even after malaria has been eliminated.

April 2011

Reductions in malaria and anemia following scale-up of malaria control activities in Zanzibar

In response to the enormous malaria burden in Zanzibar, from September 2003 onwards, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners scaled-up four key malaria control interventions: free treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy, distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. By 2008, the malaria-related burden reduced by over 75% in all age groups. With Zanzibar’s success in reducing malaria, the need to maintain adequate malaria control activities becomes increasingly important to minimize the risk of resurgence.

February 2011

Global Fund Approves Round 10 Proposals

The Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria recently approved 79 grants (out of 150 submitted) for Round 10 funding, of which 19 (24%) were specifically for malaria. Proposals were submitted from four (Azerbaijan, Cape Verde, China and Iran) of the 32 malaria-eliminating countries (13%), with three approved for funding and only one (Azerbaijan) not approved.

Round 10 Global Fund summary for malaria-eliminating countries >

January 2011

Is vaccine the magic bullet for malaria elimination? A reality check

A new article in the Malaria Journal proposes a malaria vaccine as a necessary addition to the collection of currently effective interventions for elimination and eventual eradication. Authors review the potential impact that various malaria vaccine types could have on transmission, and conclude that due to the wide epidemiological variability between endemic settings, the ideal approach to controlling malaria must depend on the specific local context. Even when partially protective vaccines become available, the integration of all available tools and resources will be critical to achieve elimination.