World Malaria Day

Malaria Distribution, WHO map

The number of those infected with malaria, and the number who have died, has not decreased in more than twenty-five years. In fact in some regions significant increases in P. vivax and P. falciparum have been reported. If you check this overview dated 1997, you'll see how little has changed.

And the fact of the matter is attention to hygiene and the elimination of stagnant water could reduce the number of infections.

Investigators from the US, France, South America, England, Portugal, Scotland, Italy and elsewhere have worked together to develop a vaccine since the World Health Organisation set up a unique study of malaria, HIV and tuberculous about a decade ago.

Before that study was inaugurated many of the same investigators, and frequently from the same countries, worked in close collaboration to develop vaccines with colleagues from endemic countries.

Although for a short while, Colombian researchers believed they had found ways to eradicate the disease, it was soon clear that neither prophylaxis treatment or vaccine attempts succeeded.

It is highly unlikely that setting up arbitrary goals as appeared in this piece are realistic or serve either the efforts taken and made by scientists, world-wide, or those at risk of acquiring this parasitic disease.