USAID, National Ministries Taking Steps to Stop Spread of Deadly, Multi-Drug Resistant Malaria in Asia

Global threat being addressed on World Malaria Day

Friday, April 25, 2008

Evidence is emerging that malaria parasites from Cambodia’s border with Thailand are increasingly tolerant to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), one of the most effective therapies against multi-drug resistant malaria.

Recognizing the global threat of ACT resistance, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) resources are now being used to build health systems and strengthen overall capacity in host government ministries of health throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Particular attention is being paid to containing the spread of ACT-resistant parasites.

"There are currently few alternatives to ACTs available for the treatment of the deadly falciparum malaria," said Dr. John MacArthur, the infectious diseases advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development mission in Asia. "It is imperative that the region act now to control the spread of this parasite."

Dr. MacArthur went on to say that "while the number of malaria cases in Thailand and the GMS is low in comparison with Africa, the parasites in this region are among the world’s most dangerous due to their resistance to most of the commonly used malaria medications."

USAID is working with the World Health Organization and national malaria control programs to strengthen surveillance for anti-malarial drug resistance, improve laboratory diagnosis and ensure that patients are treated with high-quality anti-malarial drugs.  Clinical workers are being taught to make appropriate use of laboratory test results when prescribing treatments and to support efforts to eliminate counterfeit anti-malarial drugs.

"Countries in the region can continue their successful efforts against malaria by acting now to monitor for drug-resistant parasites," Dr. MacArthur said. "When found, they must act decisively to contain those parasites from spreading," he said, noting there have been advances against the disease worldwide.

Today, on World Malaria Day, the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) stated there is evidence that an impact on malaria transmission is being achieved in several countries throughout the world.

In the GMS, the Roll Back Malaria initiative’s goal of reducing malaria deaths by 50 percent has been achieved five years ahead of the 2010 target date due to the efforts of national malaria programs and their partners.  But, while there was a 36 percent decrease in malaria cases and a 55 percent reduction in deaths attributed to malaria between 2001 and 2005, those achievements could be wiped out if ACT-resistant malaria increases in the region.

Led by USAID, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other partners, significant efforts are in place to fight malaria in Africa, Asia and elsewhere around the world. For more information about USAID and its programs to fight malaria, visit www.usaid.gov. For more information about the President’s Malaria Initiative, visit www.pmi.gov.

FURTHER READING

• Regional Infectious Diseases Program (187 KB PDF)

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