USAID’s Fight Against Malaria

Over the last two months, Congress and the public have heard a great deal from USAID Bureau for Global Health (GH) Assistant Administrator Kent Hill and Deputy Assistant Administrator Michael Miller on the challenges to stamp out malaria, especially in Africa. And for good reason. In Miller’s May testimony before the House of Representatives, he points out that one million children die every year in Africa because of malaria. Worldwide, it is estimated that malaria results in close to two million deaths – 90 percent of these deaths occurring in Africa.

“Although overshadowed by the horror of AIDS, malaria has steadily increased the toll it takes. The young die, defenseless. Adults – taken over by bouts of chills and fever – can no longer go to work,” wrote Miller.

He also discusses the most effective way for preventing malaria, which involves selective use of insecticides that kill malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.

"There are two options for getting insecticides into the homes of those most at risk: indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide treated nets (ITNs). USAID supports the use of both IRS and ITNs. The real challenge is about how to deliver the insecticide to where it can do the most good to protect young children and pregnant women to save as many lives as possible. The choice of which intervention to use should be driven by local conditions and needs."

A few weeks earlier, an article appeared in the Washington Examiner (“USAID Fights Malaria Blindfolded,” Roger Bate, April 20, 2005) criticizing USAID’s focus on ITNs (often referred to as “bed nets”) versus the use of IRS, where insecticide is sprayed on walls to ward off mosquitos.

Contrary to popular belief, USAID does not “ban” the use of DDT – which is used in spraying. To further clarify USAID’s position, Dr. Hill released a statement to the media on Africa Malaria Day, occurring each year on April 25.

“The fact is, insecticide-treated bed nets can reach people where spraying cannot – in areas where there is little organized infrastructure for spraying. Furthermore, for indoor spraying to be an effective malaria prevention and control agent, a high percentage of homes in any community must be treated, which isn't possible if spray teams can't get there.”

For the latest information on USAID’s efforts to fight malaria, read Michael Miller’s recent testimony before the Senate and House of Representatives.