In 2021, 619,000 people died of malariaand 247 million people have been affected, according to figures from theWorld Health Organization. Despite vaccines and treatments, malaria remains a devastating disease, mainly in Africa. Here is an update on the situation.
The place most affected by malaria is the African continent, which concentrates 95% of infections and records 96% of deaths. It is in Nigeria, Congo, Tanzania and Niger that more than half of deaths occur due to this mosquito-borne disease. The victims are overwhelmingly children under the age of 5 (80%) who are among the most vulnerable groups and likely to develop serious forms, such as pregnant women and people with HIV.
New mosquitoes and new resistances
Fever, headaches, chills, malaria can be fatal if left untreated. There is a therapy, or more exactly a artemisinin-based combination therapy, widely used to fight against malaria because this molecule is the one against which the virus has the least resistance. The other weapon against malaria is the RTS,S vaccine, which reduces the risk of death in young children in particular.
But strategies must constantly evolve. Recently, a new species of mosquito was detected in Africa, baptized Anopheles stephensi, which has an unprecedented ability to resist insecticides. In addition, cases of resistance have been reported in Africa and East Asia against artemisinin-based treatment. A new British vaccine should soon be available for use, particularly in Ghana.
Source : AFP
