Controlling Malaria Sub Saharan Africa - 1650 Words

Controlling Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa Abstract Malaria is the world’s most deadly infectious disease by numbers and disproportionately effects tropical third-world populations which are ill-equipped to handle it. Each year hundreds of thousands of lives are lost to Malaria and more than one-million more are disabled or lose productivity due to symptoms. Current malaria prevention efforts are focused on Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN’s) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) tactics. Currently, there is not sufficient data which supports one prevention method as more effective than the other. Recent malaria statistics were used to create a mathematical model for determining the most effective prevention method. The model plotted expected†¦show more content†¦This happens to contain some of the most destitute regions of the world including Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa was home to 89% of malaria cases and 91% of malaria deaths. Increased prevention and control measures have led to a 60% reduction in malar ia mortality rates globally since 2000. Malaria can be treated using both vaccines and other prescription drugs. In developed countries this has effectively negated Malaria as a public health threat. For instance, in the United States there are only 1500 cases of malaria per year, all of which are linked to travel to tropical regions in Africa and South America. Unfortunately, less developed regions do not have the proper infrastructure to produce, store or distribute these drugs. Third-world efforts are focused on prevention rather than treatment. The majority of Malaria funding is allocated to two different prevention concepts, Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN’s) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). Nets are made of finely woven fabrics which provide a physical barrier between infected mosquitoes and humans. Mosquitoes which land on the nets absorb insecticide which kills them. Nets can be costly, and have a high rate of misuse, as many villagers use them to fish. The alternative to ITN’s is the practice of Ind oor Residual Spraying of insecticides. This is very effective in sprayed areas, but is stationary and poisonous to the