Malaria (or malaria) remains a scourge in Africa. This deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes infected by the parasite (of the genus Plasmodium) affected 198 million people worldwide in 2013. The number of fatal victims for this same year is giving shivers: 584,000 dead according to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization dating from December 2014. The African continent alone accounts for 90% of infected cases.
Children the first victims
The first victims of this epidemic are children. On the eve of World Malaria Day, the WHO recalls that every minute a child dies from this disease. At least three quarters of deaths concern children under 5 years old.
Despite this grim record, there is an overall reduction in mortality from this infectious disease. It has fallen by 47% globally compared to 2000 and by 54% in the WHO African region. Among children, the death rate was also down 58% from 2,000.
Many obstacles to the eradication of the disease
Insufficient treatment, lack of equipment to protect against mosquitoes such as mosquito nets, difficulties in accessing care … Many obstacles must be removed in order to be able to stem the slaughter. There is also the question of the generalization of screening. 40% of vulnerable people are deprived of rapid screening tests, estimates the WHO.
“There is an urgent need to increase preventive measures and improve diagnostic tests,” Dr Hiroki Nakatani, WHO deputy director general in charge of tropical diseases and AIDS told AFP. and tuberculosis.
Next May, the organization will present a new disease plan. Among the objectives to be achieved, fig access to preventive treatment for pregnant women and children under 5 years old.
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