Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, which bite an infected person or animal, then spread the parasite to another human or animal. A new study finds that the parasite that causes the disease produces an odor which attracts mosquitoes, inviting more bites and infections. The finding that chemical compounds called terpenes give off odors that mosquitoes find inviting could help break the cycle of … [Read more...]
Regular Preventive Malaria Treatment Reduces Risk in Children
Protecting young children from malaria in countries where the mosquito-borne illness is endemic can include preventive drug treatment during the rainy season, when most infections occur. Now, researchers report that delivering an anti-malaria drug monthly, all year long, dramatically reduces the risk of this potentially lethal disease in infants and toddlers. Ninety percent of the 219 million … [Read more...]
Trial: Malaria Chemoprevention Protects Children
The non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres, has launched a new, malaria prevention campaign in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa aimed at protecting the illnesses' most vulnerable population - children under the age of five. During the campaigns at the height of malaria season - from July to October - young children will be offered so-called … [Read more...]