The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently made headlines with their report titled ‘Zeroing in on malaria elimination’. Released in conjunction with World Malaria Day 2021, observed annually on April 25th, the WHO outlines the path towards eradicating this life-threatening disease. The organization has identified 25 countries that have the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under its E-2025 Initiative.
Understanding Malaria
Malaria is a blood disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Predominantly found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America, and Asia, the parasites initially multiply within the liver cells of the human body before attacking the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and causing them to rupture.
There are five species of the parasite that cause malaria in humans, but two – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. Symptoms often resemble those of the flu and can include fever, shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Fortunately, malaria is both preventable and curable.
The Malaria Vaccine
Known as RTS,S in labs and branded as Mosquirix, the malaria vaccine is a product of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). After extensive scientific trials, it was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2015. The vaccine works by training the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, significantly reducing the risk of malaria by nearly 40%.
The E-2025 Initiative
The E-2025 initiative is an advancement from the E-2020 initiative, launched by WHO in 2017, aimed at supporting a group of 21 countries in eliminating malaria by 2020. The E-2025 initiative identifies a new group of 25 countries with the potential to eliminate malaria within the next five years. This includes providing support, conducting surveillance assessments, and maintaining communication channels for the sharing of malaria case data.
India’s Progress Towards Malaria Elimination
According to the World Malaria Report 2020, India has made significant progress in reducing its malaria burden, being the only high endemic country to report a decline of 17.6% in 2019 compared to 2018. This successful reduction can be attributed to initiatives launched by the country.
India’s National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination, initiated in 2017, shifted the nation’s focus from controlling to eliminating malaria. The plan aims to eradicate malaria in 571 out of India’s 678 districts by 2022. Additionally, the Indian Council of Medical Research has formed the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India), a conglomerate dedicated to furthering malaria control efforts.
Last Modified: February 11, 2024