By: Linda Diep

Today I had the pleasure of attending a videoconference presentation on the successes and contributions made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the fight to end malaria. The videoconference, held in the CDC’s Washington DC office, featured presentations from the following active players in malaria control:

• Dr. Richard W. Steketee, MACEPA, PATH
• Dr. Kim Lindblade, Malaria Branch, CDC
• Dr. S. Patrick Kachur, Malaria Branch, CDC
• Dr. John MacArthur, Malaria Branch, CDC

Opening remarks were made by Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Director of the CDC, who said although malaria numbers continue to decrease, these statistics are still high. Dr. Frieden stated that every 45 seconds a child dies of malaria. Malaria affects much of the developing world, and may in fact be over-diagnosed.

Four strategies that have been working in preventing death from malaria include 1.) preventing transmission from mother to fetus, 2.)properly using and distributing insecticide treated bednets, 3.) implementing artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and 4.)implementing indoor residual spraying.  Malaria in 2000 caused an estimated 985,000 deaths worldwide, and because of the aforementioned interventions, this number decreased to 781,000 deaths in 2009.

In the world of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), studies have found that individuals who suffer from soil-transmitted helminth or schistosome infections are at higher risk for contracting falciparum malaria. In addition, the helminths, especially hookworm and schistosomiasis, exacerbate the anemia caused by malaria. Thus, treating patients for NTDs will in turn prevent these individuals from developing malaria. To do your part in the fight against NTDs and malaria, please check out our “Get Involved” page.