Although malaria is a public health problem in more than 90 countries, more than 90 percent of all malaria cases are in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to Africa, large areas of Central and South America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East are high risk malaria areas. The disease causes severe anemia and is a major factor contributing to maternal deaths in malaria endemic regions. In the United States, of the 1,400 cases of malaria reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1998, the vast majority were imported. Between 1970 and 1997, the malaria infection rate in the United States increased by about 40 percent.
Malaria is caused by a single-cell parasite that is spread to humans by mosquitoes.
Congress further recognizes the negative interaction among the epidemics of malaria, HIV and tuberculosis in many nations, particularly in the nations of sub-Saharan Africa. In providing the assistance and carrying out the activities provided for under this Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development should work in coordination with appropriate Federal officials. The purpose of such interagency coordination and consultation is to help ensure that the financial assistance provided by the United States is utilized in a manner that advances, to the greatest extent possible, the public health of recipient countries. The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development should provide to appropriate officials in recipient countries information concerning participation in, and the results of, clinical trials conducted by United States Government agencies for vaccines and therapeutic agents for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. A BILL To authorize additional assistance for international malaria control, and to provide for coordination and consultation in providing assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis.