Malaria in Africa
Malaria is endemic in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa where Anopheline populations are high and effective in transmitting the parasite.
Traditional anti-malarial drugs are both expensive for routine use and in certain areas less effective because of drug resistance. Recent innovations in Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) therapy provide effective treatment, but rely on early case detection; diagnosis is often impaired by the use of incorrect procedures. The difficulty of receiving either diagnosis or rapid treatment is magnified in remote areas. An effective vaccine remains a number of years away.
Drug-based disease control is complemented by malaria-prevention programs involving the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and other indoor techniques, the control of mosquito larvae in their aquatic habitats and the use of outdoor spraying in densely-populated areas. Prevention of malaria through mosquito control is economically beneficial, as the cost of treatment is substantially less than the direct expenses of drug therapy and hospitalization, and the indirect costs associated with lost productivity and education.
