Most victims of malaria die simply because they do not have access to health care, or their cases are not diagnosed as malaria. In addition, life saving drugs are often not available. These tools will greatly help in bringing the attack where it matters, says Dr. David Nabarro, newly appointed leader of the central team for Roll Back Malaria, headquartered at WHO in Geneva. The new techniques being investigated include ways of preventing the mosquito parasite from infecting the mosquito. Using the most sophisticated techniques in molecular genetics we are discovering an array of novel possibilities.
Malaria is a global concern.
We are gearing up our support for research both here and abroad. New discoveries have led to many different approaches to a malaria vaccine, with many of the possibilities already undergoing human trials. However, scientists estimate that it will take 7-15 years before an effective malaria vaccine is ready. Vaccines taking advantage of DNA research may provide one of the best hopes. One possibility is being developed by the US Naval Medical Research Institute, the US Agency for International Development and partners in Ghana, Australia, France and the US private sector.