Australian scientists say they have made an important discovery in the fight against malaria. They have found that people in Africa who are immune to malaria have developed powerful natural defenses against the disease. Researchers at Melbourne's Burnet Institutewho are searching for ways to develop a vaccine believe that people in east Africa could help unlock some of the secrets of this … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatment with Fansidar
QUESTION My husband has Malaria following a trip to Kenya and has had a fever for three days. We are in Russia and the only drug available at the pharmacy was Fansidar (we also have some Doxcycyclin). He took three Fansidar tablets last night and feels better but the fever has still not completely gone. What should we do? Take more Fansidar? Thanks for your help. ANSWER A single dose of … [Read more...]
Malaria Deaths by Country
QUESTION Where are the most deaths of malaria? ANSWER Over 90% of the deaths from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in children under the age of five. According to the World Health Organisation's 2011 World Malaria Report, the countries with the five highest numbers of reported malaria deaths for 2010 are (and number of reported deaths): Kenya (26,017 deaths), Democratic Republic … [Read more...]
Geographic Range of Malaria
QUESTION Has the geographic range of malaria increased over the past 20 - 30 years? I have read that preventative measures have helped lower rates of infection, but I'm interested in the extension of the range itself. ANSWER That is a very interesting question, and one that garners quite a lot of debate. Preventative measures have actually also helped to limit the range of malaria … [Read more...]
Thalassaemia and Malaria
QUESTION How can Thalassaemia effect Malaria infection? ANSWER Thalassaemia is the name given to a group of inherited genetic blood disorders, which result in reduced or no synthesis of one of the globin protein chains that combine to make haemaglobin. Haemaglobin is used to carry oxygen throughout the body and to its organs. Thalassaemia can result in anaemia; in some cases, this is … [Read more...]
Will Malaria Test Work with No Symptoms Present?
QUESTION I believe my fiance who lives in Kenya has malaria but refuses to go for a test. She has headaches and now flu like symptoms. I am returning in late December, if the symptoms have gone can I still take her for a blood test to see if malaria is still present even if the symptoms subside? ANSWER Most malaria diagnosis in Kenya is done by looking at a small sample of the patient's … [Read more...]
Blood Test After Child’s Malaria Exposure
QUESTION Our 2 year old son was exposed and bitten about 10 times on Friday, 21st of Ocober in Malindi, Kenya. This was our last day in Kenya after 3 days on the coast preceded by 4 in Masai Mara. On October 28, our son started vomiting. This lasted a day. He did not have a fever at the time. The doctor diagnosed him with rota virus. Our 2 year old took his last dose of Malarone on the same day … [Read more...]
Malaria Drug Tariff’s Hindering Malaria Relief
The Malaria Taxes and Tariffs Advocacy Project (M-TAP), a two-year research and advocacy program recently released a report that shows the vast majority of the world’s malaria-endemic countries continue to maintain import tariffs on essential commodities used in the fight against malaria, including bednets, anti-malarial medicines, insecticides used in indoor residual spraying (IRS), IRS pumps, … [Read more...]
Use of Integrated Malaria Management Reduces Malaria in Kenya
During an entomological survey in preparation for malaria control interventions in Mwea division, the number of malaria cases at the Kimbimbi sub-district hospital was in a steady decline. The underlying factors for this reduction were unknown and needed to be identified before any malaria intervention tools were deployed in the area. We therefore set out to investigate the potential factors … [Read more...]
The Effects of Maternal Helminth and Malaria Infections on Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission
Objective: To investigate the effect of helminth and/or malaria infection on the risk of HIV infection in pregnant women and its transmission to their offspring. Design: A retrospective cohort study of pregnant Kenyan women and their offspring from term, uncomplicated vaginal deliveries (n = 936) with a nested case-control study. Methods: We determined the presence of HIV, malaria, … [Read more...]