After the revision of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines yesterday, international medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) calls for a drug proven to reduce deaths in children suffering from severe malaria to be immediately rolled out in African countries. In its new report, entitled "Making the Switch," Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) … [Read more...]
“SMS for Life” Malaria Initiative for Tanzania Announced
In commemoration of World Malaria Day 2011 (25 April), organizations in an innovative public-private initiative announce the nationwide roll-out of a unique malaria treatment access initiative, "SMS for Life," across the United Republic of Tanzania. The roll-out follows a successful pilot project where mobile and electronic mapping technology was used to track the stock levels of anti-malarial … [Read more...]
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Welcomes Passage of 2011 U.S. Budget
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has welcomed passage of the continuing resolution for the Fiscal Year 2011 U.S. budget which contains a US$1.05 billion contribution to The Global Fund. “I offer my sincere thanks to the U.S. on behalf of the millions of people around the world who benefit from resources channeled through The Global Fund. I am grateful to President Obama … [Read more...]
The Institute for OneWorld Health Announces Development of Alternative Source of Artemisinin
The Institute for OneWorld Health (iOWH), a non-profit drug development organization, announced today that its development of an alternative source of artemisinin using pioneering synthetic biology technology (semisynthetic artemisinin (ART) project) has successfully entered the production and distribution phase. The semisynthetic version of artemisinin is targeted to be an affordable, … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention for Seniors
QUESTION: I am a healthy senior citizen (73 years) and I am considering a trip with Semester at Sea. One of the ports they plan to visit is Ghana. I see the CDC says Ghana is a "high risk" area for malaria. I think I remember being told (at the U of W Travel Medicine Clinic) a few years ago that the malaria drugs are problematic for Seniors. With the Semester at Sea ship stopping at … [Read more...]
“Imagine No Malaria” Campaign Uses Text Messaging and Social Networking to Raise Funds to Fight Malaria
The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Nashville, Tennessee (USA) has launched an extensive campaign called "Imagine No Malaria." The campaign leverages traditional advertising, as well as mobile phones and social networking. Using SMS text messaging, individuals can donate money, and UMC also encourages people to organize "house parties" to raise money for the cause. The organization's goal is to … [Read more...]
Safety of Bed Net Insecticides
QUESTION: Are the insecticides used on the bed nets safe? What are the brand names and chemical names of those insecticides, and can you point me to any studies that have been done to determine their safety? ANSWER: The short answer is yes, the insecticides used in bednets are safe under the conditions in which people are exposed to them through using bednets. Most standard bednets … [Read more...]
Malaria – Pipeline Review, Q1 2011 – Market Research Reports
Global Markets Direct’s, "Malaria - Pipeline Review, Q1 2011," provides an overview of the Malaria therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Malaria, complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Malaria. "Malaria - Pipeline … [Read more...]
Letting Mosquitos Breed May Help Fight Malaria
It may seem counter-intuitive at first but letting mosquitoes grow up and breed may be part of the solution to tackling the devastating impact of malaria. A team of researchers led by Dr Stephen Gourley of the University of Surrey's Mathematics Department have used mathematical modeling to examine why conventional insecticides used against the insects that transmit the disease responsible for … [Read more...]
Monkeys Provide Malaria Reservoir for Human Disease in South-East Asia
Monkeys infected with an emerging malaria strain are providing a reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia, according to recent research. The study confirms that the species has not yet adapted to humans and that monkeys are the main source of infection. Malaria is a potentially deadly disease that kills over a million people each year. The disease is caused by malaria parasites, which are … [Read more...]