The future of malaria research and control: An African perspective

A century after Sir Ronal Ross' discovery of the malaria parasite in the mosquito gut, unveiling the mode of malaria transmission, 40 per cent of the global population is still exposed to the disease. The exposed population lives in the tropical world. Africa bears the heaviest burden of the disease estimated at 31.6 million DALYs equivalent to 62.1 DALYs per 1,000 population. Children and pregnant women are the most affected groups. Control methods of source reduction which were effective in Europe and America using DDT spraying, larviciding and drainage of swamps and stagnant waters were not effective in the tropics. The complexity of the disease, the parasite' life cycle and the tropical environment within which it thrives calls for a new approach to malaria control, multilateral collaboration and funding an d above all commitment from the south and south-south collaboration. The long-term challenge lies on the discovery of better methods for malaria control. However, Africa cannot wait. Better utilization of existing tools exploiting their synergistic effect will save millions of lives.