World observes Malaria Day today

The World Health Organization (WHO) news release said technological advances in innovative new tools and vaccines would go a long way in the prevent of malaria in the future.

"WHO-recommended tools have made a measurable difference in the global malaria fight," said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO. "But we need a much bigger push for prevention – especially in Africa, which bears the greatest burden of malaria."

In addition to diagnosis and treatment, WHO recommends preventive measures such as insecticide treated nets, spraying insecticides on indoor walls and preventive medicines for the most vulnerable groups: pregnant women, under-fives and infants.

World Malaria Report 2016 said between 2010 and 2015 the rate of new malaria cases fell by 21percent globally but the disease still remains a major public health threat.

In 2015, 429 000 malaria deaths and 212 million new cases were reported, with death of one child from malaria every 2 minutes.

"Any death from malaria – a preventable and treatable disease – is simply unacceptable. Today we are urging countries and partners to accelerate the pace of action, especially in low-income countries with a high malaria burden," said Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme.

WHO reports said reductions in malaria case incidence and deaths respectively between 2010-2015 are: 100 percent and 100 percent for Europe; 54 percent and 46 percent for South East Asia; 31 percent and 37 percent for Americas;  30 percent and 58 percent for Western Pacific; 21 percent and 31 percent for Africa; 11 percent and 6 percent for Eastern Mediterranean and 21 percent and 29 percent globally.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)