AFRICA - Malaria: significant steps forward in endemic countries but more work needed to defeat it

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Since the last Report on malaria by the World Health Organization (WHO), published on 13 December, it appears that, over the past decade, programs for disease control in Africa recorded 200,000 fewer deaths per year, dropping from 900,000 in 2000 to 709,000 in 2009. The estimated number of malaria cases globally in 2009 were 225 million and of the majority of deaths related to malaria, 91% were recorded in Africa. The report shows a significant increase in prevention and control in the most severely affected countries such as Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, where more than 40% of deaths related to malaria in Africa occur. Between 2008 and 2010, health authorities were committed to the protection of 578 million people at risk in sub-Saharan Africa, distributing mosquito nets treated with long-lasting insecticide (LLINs), universal diagnostic testing for the treatment of suspected malaria cases or using ACT for the immediate cure of confirmed cases.
In 2010, compared to ten years ago, there was a reduction of 50% in confirmed malaria cases and deaths in 11 African countries, while in 32 of the 56 countries outside Africa, where the disease is endemic, the decrease was even higher. The WHO said that in Morocco and Turkmenistan in 2009, malaria was eliminated. However, according to experts, despite the considerable progress which has been made, coverage in African countries remains below international targets for 2010. Given these positive results, in some parts of Africa such as Rwanda, Sao Tome e Principe, and Zambia, the control of malaria is still precarious and the countries continue to be infected. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2010)