In 1999, an estimated 1.5-2.0 million deaths were the result of malaria and most of deaths occurred in children under five years old. Three to five million new cases occur globally each year. Malaria affects many developing countries, especially Africa. Symptoms Malaria is characterized by fever, shivering, pain in the joints, headache, repeated vomiting, generalized convulsions and coma. The parasite lives in red cells and eventually ruptures them, creating anemia.
Severe anemia is often the attributable cause of death in areas with intense malaria transmission.
If left untreated, the disease progresses to severe malaria such as convulsions and coma. Severe malaria often causes death if there is no treatment. Jean Feagin studies gene expression in the malaria parasite. Her lab is examining subcellular compartments, and the ribosome as possible drug intervention sites. This new initiative will identify components for a multi-drug cocktail vaccine for malaria.