On July 27, AIDS experts revealed that a fourth person had been “cured” of HIV. However, the risky operation for patients who were facing cancer may not provide much solace for the tens of millions of people who are HIV-positive globally. Ahead of the International AIDS Conference, which gets underway in Montreal, Canada, on Friday, the 66-year-old man, known as the “City of Hope” patient after the Californian facility where he received treatment, was told that his illness was in remission.

After experts reported in February that a US woman known as the New York patient had also entered remission, he is the second individual to be officially declared to have been cured this year.

He said in a statement: “When I was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, like many others, I thought it was a death sentence.&nbsp;I never thought I would live to see the day that I no longer have HIV.”

He is one of four patients who have been treated in this fashion, and he is the oldest. Timothy Ray Brown, a “Berlin patient”,&nbsp;was the first in 2007.

The cure is the “holy grail”,&nbsp;according to the president-elect of the International Aids Society (IAS), and it provides “continuing hope and motivation” for HIV-positive people. Because non-HIV positive donors lack the receptors needed for HIV to infect cells, scientists think it works.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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On July 27, AIDS experts revealed that a fourth person had been “cured” of HIV. However, the risky operation for patients who were facing cancer may not provide much solace for the tens of millions of people who are HIV-positive globally.

On July 27, AIDS experts revealed that a fourth person had been “cured” of HIV. However, the risky operation for patients who were facing cancer may not provide much solace for the tens of millions of people who are HIV-positive globally. Ahead of the International AIDS Conference, which gets underway in Montreal, Canada, on Friday, the 66-year-old man, known as the “City of Hope” patient after the Californian facility where he received treatment, was told that his illness was in remission. After experts reported in February that a US woman known as the New York patient had also entered remission, he is the second individual to be officially declared to have been cured this year. He said in a statement: “When I was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, like many others, I thought it was a death sentence. I never thought I would live to see the day that I no longer have HIV.” He is one of four patients who have been treated in this fashion, and he is the oldest. Timothy Ray Brown, a “Berlin patient”, was the first in 2007. The cure is the “holy grail”, according to the president-elect of the International Aids Society (IAS), and it provides “continuing hope and motivation” for HIV-positive people. Because non-HIV positive donors lack the receptors needed for HIV to infect cells, scientists think it works. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fourth patient in history seemingly cured of HIV

A global health fund has raised a third of the $18 billion it says is needed to reverse setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic and combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced its first pledge from the private sector on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, on Tuesday.

The $10 million pledge by Comic Relief U.S. unlocks a matching $20 million commitment by the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.

The fund has set a 2024-2026 fundraising target of $18 billion. U.S. President Joe Biden, who will host an upcoming conference, has already signalled a $6 billion commitment.

Disruptions to healthcare caused by COVID-19 around the world saw reversals in testing and treatment of all three deadly diseases, said executive director Peter Sands.

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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/comicreliefus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ComicReliefUS</a> for your $10 million pledge to <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalFund?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GlobalFund</a>, unlocking additional funds from <a href="https://twitter.com/gatesfoundation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gatesfoundation</a>; leading the way for the private sector to continue to accelerate the fight to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndEpidemics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndEpidemics</a>. 
 
Together we can <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightForWhatCounts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightForWhatCounts</a> and save 20 million more lives.
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"The reality is the need to beat back these diseases isn't going away. It's gotten worse," Sands told Reuters.

The donor environment had also shifted dramatically since 2019 when the fund met a $14 billion target.

Sands said the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and growing economic headwinds were impacting investment. Governments are in transition when it comes to budget allocations for COVID-19 and some are also now committing money to help Ukraine.

Private-sector donations are also being impacted by the recent market losses.

"It's a challenging time to be raising large sums of money," Sands said.

A global health fund has raised a third of the $18 billion it says is needed to reverse setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic and combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

A global health fund has raised a third of the $18 billion it says is needed to reverse setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic and combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced its first pledge from the private sector on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, on Tuesday. The $10 million pledge by Comic Relief U.S. unlocks a matching $20 million commitment by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The fund has set a 2024-2026 fundraising target of $18 billion. U.S. President Joe Biden, who will host an upcoming conference, has already signalled a $6 billion commitment. Disruptions to healthcare caused by COVID-19 around the world saw reversals in testing and treatment of all three deadly diseases, said executive director Peter Sands. Thank you @ComicReliefUS for your $10 million pledge to @GlobalFund, unlocking additional funds from @gatesfoundation; leading the way for the private sector to continue to accelerate the fight to #EndEpidemics. Together we can #FightForWhatCounts and save 20 million more lives. — The Global Fund (@GlobalFund) May 24, 2022 × "The reality is the need to beat back these diseases isn't going away. It's gotten worse," Sands told Reuters. The donor environment had also shifted dramatically since 2019 when the fund met a $14 billion target. Sands said the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and growing economic headwinds were impacting investment. Governments are in transition when it comes to budget allocations for COVID-19 and some are also now committing money to help Ukraine. Private-sector donations are also being impacted by the recent market losses. "It's a challenging time to be raising large sums of money," Sands said.

Davos booster for $18 billion fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria

World Malaria Day 2022: From causes to who all are at risk, here's all you need to know

The New Malaria vaccine has given thousands of people in Kenya a new hope for a better life. The vaccine was begun in 2019.

Kenya fights the Malaria-endemic: Malaria vaccine gives hope to thousands of people

Malaria endemic in western Kenya has received a new vaccine against Malaria, which kills around 260 000 children under 5 every year in Sub-Saharan Africa. The groundbreaking drug was 30 years in the making, and a pilot program has been rolling out the drug in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi since 2019.

Kenya: Malaria vaccine gives thousands a hope for better life

Coronavirus pandemic has ruined several lives and caused some major disruptions around the world. Following the same scare, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that tens of thousands of additional malaria-related deaths were reported in 2020 due to pandemic disruptions.<o:p></o:p>

The UN health agency has claimed that there were nearly 241 million malaria cases around the world in the first year of the pandemic. As per the data, 2020 saw an increase of 14 million malaria cases in comparison to 2019.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-spreads-in-south-africa-as-president-ramaphosa-urges-vaccination-434673">Omicron spreads in South Africa as President Ramaphosa urges vaccination</a></o:p>

In addition to this, 627,000 malaria-related deaths were reported in 2020, which was an alarming increase from 69,000 in 2019.<o:p></o:p>

The shocking thing in this revelation is that out of these additional deaths, nearly two thirds were caused due to the coronavirus pandemic. Experts believe that that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruptions in the provision of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as per WHO. <o:p></o:p>

As per the data, cases increased alarmingly in 11 countries that have been vulnerable to malaria in the past few years. Number of infections increased from 150 million in 2015 to 163 million in 2020, and the deaths rose to 444,600 from 39,000.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-achieves-new-covid-19-vaccine-milestone-50-of-adults-fully-vaccinated-434675">WATCH |</a></o:p>

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"I think we are on the verge of a potential malaria crisis," Dr Pedro Alonso, head of WHO's Global Malaria Programme<o:p></o:p>

However, experts also stressed that the urgent action plan followed by respondents had helped avert a situation which could have been way worse than the present situation. <o:p></o:p>

"Thanks to the hard work of public health agencies in&nbsp;malaria-affected countries, the worst projections of Covid's impact have not come to pass," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. "Now, we need to harness that same energy and commitment to reverse the setbacks caused by the pandemic and step up the pace of progress against this disease."<o:p></o:p>

Coronavirus pandemic has ruined several lives and caused some major disruptions around the world. Following the same scare, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that tens of thousands of additional malaria-related deaths were reported in 2020 due to pandemic disruptions.

Coronavirus pandemic has ruined several lives and caused some major disruptions around the world. Following the same scare, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that tens of thousands of additional malaria-related deaths were reported in 2020 due to pandemic disruptions. The UN health agency has claimed that there were nearly 241 million malaria cases around the world in the first year of the pandemic. As per the data, 2020 saw an increase of 14 million malaria cases in comparison to 2019. Also read | Omicron spreads in South Africa as President Ramaphosa urges vaccination In addition to this, 627,000 malaria-related deaths were reported in 2020, which was an alarming increase from 69,000 in 2019. The shocking thing in this revelation is that out of these additional deaths, nearly two thirds were caused due to the coronavirus pandemic. Experts believe that that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruptions in the provision of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as per WHO. As per the data, cases increased alarmingly in 11 countries that have been vulnerable to malaria in the past few years. Number of infections increased from 150 million in 2015 to 163 million in 2020, and the deaths rose to 444,600 from 39,000. WATCH | "I think we are on the verge of a potential malaria crisis," Dr Pedro Alonso, head of WHO's Global Malaria Programme However, experts also stressed that the urgent action plan followed by respondents had helped avert a situation which could have been way worse than the present situation. "Thanks to the hard work of public health agencies in malaria-affected countries, the worst projections of Covid's impact have not come to pass," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. "Now, we need to harness that same energy and commitment to reverse the setbacks caused by the pandemic and step up the pace of progress against this disease."

Coronavirus pandemic resulted in alarming increase in malaria deaths: WHO

WHO has recommended World's first Malaria vaccine for Children. Malaria has been killing humans since Mesopotamian civilisation. Why did it take so long to develop a vaccine? Is it because Malaria mostly affects Africa and not the West? Listen in to Palki Sharma

Gravitas: WHO recommends first Malaria vaccine for children

When babies are born in western Kenya, where malaria is rife, many mothers are sent home from the hospital with one all-important baby gift: a bed net treated with insecticide.

“Malaria is our No. 1 health problem,” said Mathews Ajwala, a community health worker who gives out the nets to ward off malarial mosquitoes that can cause severe illness and death. More than 400,000 people died of malaria worldwide in 2019, and two-thirds of those were children in Africa under age five.

So when the World Health Organization on Wednesday announced that it had approved the world’s first malaria vaccine, African parents, government officials and health workers like Ajwala celebrated the moment as a milestone in the fight against a scourge that has plagued humans for millennia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-people-are-interested-in-covid-booster-than-first-or-second-shot-cdc-419185">More people are interested in Covid booster than first or second shot: CDC</a>

“This vaccine will be a big game-changer,” Ajwala said in a telephone interview.

The vaccine, the first developed for any parasitic disease, was widely discussed on social media and on radio and television stations Thursday. Many across the continent took pride in the fact that African scientists, research institutions and citizens helped provide and interpret the data that eventually led to approval of the vaccine. The WHO endorsement was based on the results of more than 2.3 million doses administered since 2019 to about 800,000 children in Kenya, Malawi and Ghana.

But Africans were also coming to grips with the fact that the vaccine alone will not solve the malaria problem.

In clinical trials, the vaccine, made by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, was effective at reducing severe malaria by only 30 per cent in the first year after it was administered, according to WHO — although some experts put the figure at closer to 50 per cent.

To be effective, four doses of the vaccine must be administered starting at the age of five months — which could pose logistical problems since delivering vaccines on the continent is already a challenge.

“The vaccine saves lives, but it will not be a silver bullet,” said Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa, a nongovernmental organization.

While the vaccine is a “huge addition to the fight” against malaria, said Gitahi, health officials will still have to deploy “a Swiss cheese strategy” that includes insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying.

When babies are born in western Kenya, where malaria is rife, many mothers are sent home from the hospital with one all-important baby gift: a bed net treated with insecticide.

When babies are born in western Kenya, where malaria is rife, many mothers are sent home from the hospital with one all-important baby gift: a bed net treated with insecticide. “Malaria is our No. 1 health problem,” said Mathews Ajwala, a community health worker who gives out the nets to ward off malarial mosquitoes that can cause severe illness and death. More than 400,000 people died of malaria worldwide in 2019, and two-thirds of those were children in Africa under age five. So when the World Health Organization on Wednesday announced that it had approved the world’s first malaria vaccine, African parents, government officials and health workers like Ajwala celebrated the moment as a milestone in the fight against a scourge that has plagued humans for millennia. Also read | More people are interested in Covid booster than first or second shot: CDC “This vaccine will be a big game-changer,” Ajwala said in a telephone interview. The vaccine, the first developed for any parasitic disease, was widely discussed on social media and on radio and television stations Thursday. Many across the continent took pride in the fact that African scientists, research institutions and citizens helped provide and interpret the data that eventually led to approval of the vaccine. The WHO endorsement was based on the results of more than 2.3 million doses administered since 2019 to about 800,000 children in Kenya, Malawi and Ghana. But Africans were also coming to grips with the fact that the vaccine alone will not solve the malaria problem. In clinical trials, the vaccine, made by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, was effective at reducing severe malaria by only 30 per cent in the first year after it was administered, according to WHO — although some experts put the figure at closer to 50 per cent. To be effective, four doses of the vaccine must be administered starting at the age of five months — which could pose logistical problems since delivering vaccines on the continent is already a challenge. “The vaccine saves lives, but it will not be a silver bullet,” said Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa, a nongovernmental organization. While the vaccine is a “huge addition to the fight” against malaria, said Gitahi, health officials will still have to deploy “a Swiss cheese strategy” that includes insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying.

Africans welcome new Malaria vaccine. But is it a ‘game changer'?

The world has gained a new weapon in the war on malaria, among the oldest known and deadliest of infectious diseases: the first vaccine shown to help prevent the disease.Watch this report to know more.

WHO recommends use of first malaria jab

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved the first malaria vaccine RTS, S/AS01 in the world. It will start from African countries that are affected the most.

WHO approves first-ever malaria vaccine in major breakthrough

The World Health Organization on Wednesday endorsed the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, the first against the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than 400,000 people a year, mostly African children.

The decision followed a review of a pilot programme deployed since 2019 in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi in which more than two million doses were given of the vaccine, first made by the pharmaceutical company GSK in 1987.

After reviewing evidence from those countries, the WHO said it was "recommending the broad use of the world's first malaria vaccine", the agency's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

The WHO said it was recommending children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission get four doses up to the age of two.

Every two minutes, a child dies of malaria, the agency said.&nbsp;

More than half of malaria deaths worldwide are in six sub-Saharan African countries and almost a quarter are in Nigeria alone, according to 2019 WHO figures.

Symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle pain, then cycles of chills, fever and sweating.

Findings from the vaccine pilot showed it "significantly reduces severe malaria which is the deadly form by 30 percent," said Kate O'Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.

The vaccine is "feasible to deliver", she added and "it's also reaching the unreached... Two thirds of children who don’t sleep under a bed net in those countries are now benefiting from the vaccine."

Many vaccines exist against viruses and bacteria but this was the first time that the WHO recommended for broad use a vaccine against a human parasite.

The vaccine acts against plasmodium falciparum -- one of five malaria parasite species and the most deadly.

"From a scientific perspective this is a massive breakthrough," said Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme.

'Glimmer of hope'

Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa said Wednesday's recommendation "offers a glimmer of hope for the continent which shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease."

The estimated cost of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is over 12 billion dollars a year, Alonso said at a news conference following the announcement.

Before the newly recommended vaccine can reach children in need, the next step will be funding.&nbsp;

"That will be the next major step... Then we will be set up for scaling of doses and decisions about where the vaccine will be most useful and how it will be deployed," said O'Brien.

Gavi vaccine alliance said in a statement after the WHO announcement that "global stakeholders, including Gavi, will consider whether and how to finance a new malaria vaccination programme for countries in sub-Saharan Africa."

The fight against malaria received a boost in April when researchers from Britain's Oxford University announced that their Matrix-M vaccine candidate had become the first to surpass the WHO's threshold of 75-percent efficacy.

Germany's BioNTech, which developed a coronavirus vaccine with US giant Pfizer, also said it aimed to start trials for a malaria vaccine next year using the same breakthrough mRNA technology.

The WHO also hopes this latest recommendation will encourage scientists to develop more malaria vaccines.&nbsp;

The RTS,S/AS01 is "a first generation, really important one," said Alonso, "but we hope... it stimulates the field to look for other types of vaccines to completement or go beyond this one."

The World Health Organization on Wednesday endorsed the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, the first against the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than 400,000 people a year, mostly African children.

The World Health Organization on Wednesday endorsed the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, the first against the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than 400,000 people a year, mostly African children. The decision followed a review of a pilot programme deployed since 2019 in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi in which more than two million doses were given of the vaccine, first made by the pharmaceutical company GSK in 1987. After reviewing evidence from those countries, the WHO said it was "recommending the broad use of the world's first malaria vaccine", the agency's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. The WHO said it was recommending children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission get four doses up to the age of two. Every two minutes, a child dies of malaria, the agency said. More than half of malaria deaths worldwide are in six sub-Saharan African countries and almost a quarter are in Nigeria alone, according to 2019 WHO figures. Symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle pain, then cycles of chills, fever and sweating. Findings from the vaccine pilot showed it "significantly reduces severe malaria which is the deadly form by 30 percent," said Kate O'Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. The vaccine is "feasible to deliver", she added and "it's also reaching the unreached... Two thirds of children who don’t sleep under a bed net in those countries are now benefiting from the vaccine." Many vaccines exist against viruses and bacteria but this was the first time that the WHO recommended for broad use a vaccine against a human parasite. The vaccine acts against plasmodium falciparum -- one of five malaria parasite species and the most deadly. "From a scientific perspective this is a massive breakthrough," said Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. 'Glimmer of hope' Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa said Wednesday's recommendation "offers a glimmer of hope for the continent which shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease." The estimated cost of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is over 12 billion dollars a year, Alonso said at a news conference following the announcement. Before the newly recommended vaccine can reach children in need, the next step will be funding. "That will be the next major step... Then we will be set up for scaling of doses and decisions about where the vaccine will be most useful and how it will be deployed," said O'Brien. Gavi vaccine alliance said in a statement after the WHO announcement that "global stakeholders, including Gavi, will consider whether and how to finance a new malaria vaccination programme for countries in sub-Saharan Africa." The fight against malaria received a boost in April when researchers from Britain's Oxford University announced that their Matrix-M vaccine candidate had become the first to surpass the WHO's threshold of 75-percent efficacy. Germany's BioNTech, which developed a coronavirus vaccine with US giant Pfizer, also said it aimed to start trials for a malaria vaccine next year using the same breakthrough mRNA technology. The WHO also hopes this latest recommendation will encourage scientists to develop more malaria vaccines. The RTS,S/AS01 is "a first generation, really important one," said Alonso, "but we hope... it stimulates the field to look for other types of vaccines to completement or go beyond this one."

WHO recommends use of first malaria vaccine for children

Malaria is still a deadly disease in many parts of the world. It claims more lives in poorer continents like Africa where even basic medical facilities are not available in many countries. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 400,00 deaths were recorded across the world due to Malaria in the year 2019 alone.

Now it appears that primary parasite responsible for the disease, Plasmodium falciparum, is able to mutate to avoid common ways of detection we use.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/before-chickens-early-humans-reared-one-of-the-most-dangerous-birds-study-417744">Before chickens, early humans reared one of the most dangerous birds: Study</a>

A study by an immunologist at Ethiopian Public Health Institute has shed more light on this. Sindew Feleke, the immunologist says that about 10 per cent of Malaria cases escaped detection&nbsp;around Ethiopia's border region because of at least one mutation. This is allowing the parasite to evade rapid diagnostic testing (RDT).

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/37-per-cent-patients-have-long-covid-symptoms-months-post-recovery-oxford-study-416740">37 per cent patients have long Covid symptoms months post recovery: Oxford study</a>

Ability to hide from the testing may give the parasite an extra advantage to spread more.

The parasite Plasmodium falciparum infests human blood cells to clone itself. These cells then burst, which sends a flood of parasites within the body. This causes waves of fever and other symptoms.

For their study, Feleke and his colleagues studied blood samples of over 12,500 patients along Ethiopian borders with Eritrea and Sudan. They found that a false negative had been reported in about 10 per cent of the cases.

Malaria is still a deadly disease in many parts of the world. It claims more lives in poorer continents like Africa where even basic medical facilities are not available in many countries.

Malaria is still a deadly disease in many parts of the world. It claims more lives in poorer continents like Africa where even basic medical facilities are not available in many countries. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 400,00 deaths were recorded across the world due to Malaria in the year 2019 alone. Now it appears that primary parasite responsible for the disease, Plasmodium falciparum, is able to mutate to avoid common ways of detection we use. Also Read | Before chickens, early humans reared one of the most dangerous birds: Study A study by an immunologist at Ethiopian Public Health Institute has shed more light on this. Sindew Feleke, the immunologist says that about 10 per cent of Malaria cases escaped detection around Ethiopia's border region because of at least one mutation. This is allowing the parasite to evade rapid diagnostic testing (RDT). Also Read | 37 per cent patients have long Covid symptoms months post recovery: Oxford study Ability to hide from the testing may give the parasite an extra advantage to spread more. The parasite Plasmodium falciparum infests human blood cells to clone itself. These cells then burst, which sends a flood of parasites within the body. This causes waves of fever and other symptoms. For their study, Feleke and his colleagues studied blood samples of over 12,500 patients along Ethiopian borders with Eritrea and Sudan. They found that a false negative had been reported in about 10 per cent of the cases.

Malaria parasite found to undergo mutations evading detection

A new study has revealed that a new approach to protecting young African children from malaria could reduce deaths and illness from the disease by 70 per cent. Giving them vaccines before the worst season in addition to preventative drugs produced "very striking" results, researchers say.

A new study has revealed that a new approach to protecting young African children from malaria could reduce deaths and illness from the disease by 70 per cent. Giving them vaccines before the worst season in addition to preventative drugs produced "very striking" results, researchers say. The trial followed 6,000 children aged under 17 months in Burkina Faso and Mali. It was concluded that most of the 400,000 deaths from malaria each year are in the under-fives. Also, the disease is still a major health issue in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Also read | Former Afghanistan minister now delivers pizzas in Germany: Report The trial focused on giving very young children a vaccine already in use and anti-malarial drugs at the time of year they are most vulnerable. Prof Brian Greenwood, a member of the research team, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), which led the trial, was quoted by the BBC as saying, "It worked better than we thought would be the case". "Hospital admissions were less, deaths were less in both countries - and we really didn't expect to see that." Over the period of three years, the trial found three doses of the vaccine and drugs before the worst malaria season. This was followed by a booster dose before subsequent rainy seasons, controlled infections much better than vaccines or drugs alone - and, the researchers said, could save millions of young lives in the African Sahel. As per scientists, the combined effects of the vaccine and drugs in the trial appear to be surprisingly powerful.

Trial suggests malaria sickness could be cut by 70 per cent

BioNTech wants to build on its success in <a href="AstraZeneca and Pfizer mixed shots boost antibody levels: Study">COVID-19</a> by developing the first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> for malaria based on mRNA technology and aims to start clinical testing by the end on 2022, in an attempt to eradicate the mosquito-borne illness.

The Mainz, Germany-based company, which developed a COVID-19 vaccine with its partner Pfizer in ten months, said on Monday it is also exploring vaccine production in Africa as part of efforts to build up manufacturing capacity on the continent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-and-pfizer-mixed-shots-boost-antibody-levels-study-400778" hreflang="en">AstraZeneca and Pfizer mixed shots boost antibody levels: Study</a>

"The response to the pandemic has shown that science and innovation can transform people's lives when all key stakeholders work together towards a common goal," said BioNTech Chief Executive and co-founder Ugur Sahin.

Scientists around the world have been working for decades to develop a vaccine to prevent malaria that infects millions of people every year and kills more than 400,000 - most of them babies and young children in the poorest parts of Africa.

Malaria is a complex infection caused by a parasite that evades recognition by the immune system, said Sahin, adding the goal is to develop a vaccine that makes the parasite visible and attackable from the very beginning.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizerbiontech-to-produce-covid-vaccine-in-safrica-399548" hreflang="en">Pfizer/BioNTech to produce Covid vaccine in S.Africa</a>

Messenger RNA vaccines prompt the human body to make a protein that is part of the virus, triggering an immune response. They are also quicker to develop than traditional vaccines and can be adapted relatively easily.

"The very high efficacy of two mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have shown the world just how powerful this technology could be against many diseases, including malaria," said World Health Organisation (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who started his career as a malaria researcher.

The world's first and only licensed malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, was developed by GlaxoSmithKline&nbsp;over many years of clinical trial across several African countries, but is only around 30 per cent&nbsp;effective.

Researchers at Oxford's Jenner Institute led by Adrian Hill, one of the lead scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, are also developing a potential new malaria vaccine that has shown promise in a year-long trial.

BioNTech said it will assess multiple vaccine candidates that target the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), as well as new antigens discovered in pre-clinical research and select the most promising for a clinical trial due to start by the end of 2022.

The company is also scouting for suitable mRNA vaccine production sites in Africa, either with partners or on its own, and will receive support from the European Commission, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organisations.

BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Sierk Poetting said the company would fund the research and initial production of the vaccine itself and turn to its partners for support with large-scale trials, as well as setting up infrastructure, such as fill and finish sites and providing local training.

BioNTech also plans to start a clinical trial to test a vaccine candidate for tuberculosis in 2022 and is working with partners to develop vaccines against nine different infectious diseases as well as for cancer.

BioNTech wants to build on its success in COVID-19 by developing the first vaccine for malaria based on mRNA technology and aims to start clinical testing by the end on 2022, in an attempt to eradicate the mosquito-borne illness.

BioNTech wants to build on its success in COVID-19 by developing the first vaccine for malaria based on mRNA technology and aims to start clinical testing by the end on 2022, in an attempt to eradicate the mosquito-borne illness. The Mainz, Germany-based company, which developed a COVID-19 vaccine with its partner Pfizer in ten months, said on Monday it is also exploring vaccine production in Africa as part of efforts to build up manufacturing capacity on the continent. Also read | AstraZeneca and Pfizer mixed shots boost antibody levels: Study "The response to the pandemic has shown that science and innovation can transform people's lives when all key stakeholders work together towards a common goal," said BioNTech Chief Executive and co-founder Ugur Sahin. Scientists around the world have been working for decades to develop a vaccine to prevent malaria that infects millions of people every year and kills more than 400,000 - most of them babies and young children in the poorest parts of Africa. Malaria is a complex infection caused by a parasite that evades recognition by the immune system, said Sahin, adding the goal is to develop a vaccine that makes the parasite visible and attackable from the very beginning. Also read | Pfizer/BioNTech to produce Covid vaccine in S.Africa Messenger RNA vaccines prompt the human body to make a protein that is part of the virus, triggering an immune response. They are also quicker to develop than traditional vaccines and can be adapted relatively easily. "The very high efficacy of two mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have shown the world just how powerful this technology could be against many diseases, including malaria," said World Health Organisation (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who started his career as a malaria researcher. The world's first and only licensed malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, was developed by GlaxoSmithKline over many years of clinical trial across several African countries, but is only around 30 per cent effective. Researchers at Oxford's Jenner Institute led by Adrian Hill, one of the lead scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, are also developing a potential new malaria vaccine that has shown promise in a year-long trial. BioNTech said it will assess multiple vaccine candidates that target the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), as well as new antigens discovered in pre-clinical research and select the most promising for a clinical trial due to start by the end of 2022. The company is also scouting for suitable mRNA vaccine production sites in Africa, either with partners or on its own, and will receive support from the European Commission, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organisations. BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Sierk Poetting said the company would fund the research and initial production of the vaccine itself and turn to its partners for support with large-scale trials, as well as setting up infrastructure, such as fill and finish sites and providing local training. BioNTech also plans to start a clinical trial to test a vaccine candidate for tuberculosis in 2022 and is working with partners to develop vaccines against nine different infectious diseases as well as for cancer.

BioNTech aims to develop mRNA-based malaria vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared China malaria-free, following a decades-long effort that reduced an estimated yearly toll of 30 million cases in the 1940s to zero in 2017, including 300,000 deaths.&nbsp;

China created new monitoring tactics, treatments, and technology along the path to break the malaria parasite transmission cycle between Anopheles mosquitoes and humans.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drug-resistant-malaria-making-inroads-in-africa-study-377979">Also read | Drug-resistant malaria making inroads in Africa: Study</a>

“Today we congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal.”

In more than three decades, China became the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to receive a malaria-free certification.

Australia (1981), Singapore (1982), and Brunei Darussalam (1987) are among the other countries in the region to have attained this status.&nbsp;

China is also the 40th country in the world to be declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.

El Salvador (2021), Algeria and Argentina (2019), and Paraguay and Uzbekistan were the most recent countries to be granted the status (2018).

A separate list of 61 nations where malaria never existed or was eradicated without specific measures is also available. 
 
Beginning in the 1950s, Chinese health officials worked to locate and halt the spread of malaria by giving both preventive antimalarial drugs and therapy for those who had already been infected. In some locations, the country also made a huge effort to limit mosquito breeding sites by increasing the use of chemical spraying in households.&nbsp; 
 
Chinese scientists have developed genetics-based ways to track medication resistance and differentiate local instances from imported cases in recent years.&nbsp;

“China’s ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria,” Pedro Alonso, director of WHO's Global Malaria Programme, said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared China malaria-free, following a decades-long effort that reduced an estimated yearly toll of 30 million cases in the 1940s to zero in 2017, including 300,000 deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared China malaria-free, following a decades-long effort that reduced an estimated yearly toll of 30 million cases in the 1940s to zero in 2017, including 300,000 deaths. China created new monitoring tactics, treatments, and technology along the path to break the malaria parasite transmission cycle between Anopheles mosquitoes and humans. Also read | Drug-resistant malaria making inroads in Africa: Study “Today we congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal.” In more than three decades, China became the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to receive a malaria-free certification. Australia (1981), Singapore (1982), and Brunei Darussalam (1987) are among the other countries in the region to have attained this status. China is also the 40th country in the world to be declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. El Salvador (2021), Algeria and Argentina (2019), and Paraguay and Uzbekistan were the most recent countries to be granted the status (2018). A separate list of 61 nations where malaria never existed or was eradicated without specific measures is also available. Beginning in the 1950s, Chinese health officials worked to locate and halt the spread of malaria by giving both preventive antimalarial drugs and therapy for those who had already been infected. In some locations, the country also made a huge effort to limit mosquito breeding sites by increasing the use of chemical spraying in households. Chinese scientists have developed genetics-based ways to track medication resistance and differentiate local instances from imported cases in recent years. “China’s ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria,” Pedro Alonso, director of WHO's Global Malaria Programme, said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

China has eliminated malaria: From 30 million cases to zero

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said that his family was worried by his sudden weight loss after he contracted malaria in March, and that he was slowly returning to full physical fitness.

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Aubameyang was sidelined for four games after getting malaria while on international duty with Gabon and spent time in a hospital last month before returning in the team's 2-1 defeat by Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

"I was feeling just normal, a bit down - I thought that it was the travel," Aubameyang told reporters ahead of the return leg later on Thursday. "Gabon isn't so close to here. I felt tired, especially against Liverpool, but I thought it was because of the travel... I had three days in a row, fever, all day and night. After that, I spoke to the doctor."

After that, he checked into a hospital, where he was treated for three days and lost 4kg.

"It was a bad moment and my family was a bit scared to see me like this," he said. "I'm lucky I got treatment at the right moment; if you don't treat it quickly it can lead to big problems."

Aubameyang scored in his first start since recovering from the illness in Sunday's 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United and said he was looking forward to the Villarreal game.

"In my mind, I feel more than 100% but physically maybe I'm not. Hopefully my body will respond as well but definitely in my mind I'm ready," said Aubameyang, who missed three games this season when his mother was ill.

"It's been a bad year, hopefully next year will be different," he said.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said that his family was worried by his sudden weight loss after he contracted malaria in March, and that he was slowly returning to full physical fitness.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said that his family was worried by his sudden weight loss after he contracted malaria in March, and that he was slowly returning to full physical fitness. ALSO READ: Tuchel salutes Chelsea's desire as Blues reach Champions League final Aubameyang was sidelined for four games after getting malaria while on international duty with Gabon and spent time in a hospital last month before returning in the team's 2-1 defeat by Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final first leg. "I was feeling just normal, a bit down - I thought that it was the travel," Aubameyang told reporters ahead of the return leg later on Thursday. "Gabon isn't so close to here. I felt tired, especially against Liverpool, but I thought it was because of the travel... I had three days in a row, fever, all day and night. After that, I spoke to the doctor." After that, he checked into a hospital, where he was treated for three days and lost 4kg. "It was a bad moment and my family was a bit scared to see me like this," he said. "I'm lucky I got treatment at the right moment; if you don't treat it quickly it can lead to big problems." Aubameyang scored in his first start since recovering from the illness in Sunday's 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United and said he was looking forward to the Villarreal game. "In my mind, I feel more than 100% but physically maybe I'm not. Hopefully my body will respond as well but definitely in my mind I'm ready," said Aubameyang, who missed three games this season when his mother was ill. "It's been a bad year, hopefully next year will be different," he said.

Arsenal's Aubameyang slowly returning to full fitness after malaria

Scientists on Thursday confirmed the first clinical evidence of drug-resistant mutations of the parasite that leads to malaria making inroads in Africa.&nbsp;

There have been concerns for long about the emergence of such mutations across the continent which makes up for over 90 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019.&nbsp;

A new report published in The Lancet has confirmed these fears.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/science/sea-snail-venom-could-lead-to-new-treatments-for-severe-malaria-365446">Sea snail venom could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria</a>

According to the trials, the disease persisted longer in children who were receiving standard treatment for malaria if they were infected with mutant strains of the parasite.&nbsp;

Still, there is high efficacy of Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), but scientists insist on an "urgent need" for more monitoring in Rwanda, where the study was based as well in other neighbouring nations.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/gsk-to-move-malaria-vaccine-production-to-indias-bharat-biotech-359722">GSK to move malaria vaccine production to India's Bharat Biotech</a>

"Our study shows that resistant isolates are starting to become more common," lead author Aline Uwimana, a researcher at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre in Kigali was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

ACT's, introduced in the early 2000s, is one of the most common and widely used treatments for malaria.&nbsp;

In this treatment, the artemisinin component clears most of the pathogens from the infected body within three days and a long-acting partner drug kills the rest of the parasites.&nbsp;

If the artemisinin component doesn't work within three days, it means that the parasites have developed resistance to this.&nbsp;

Evidence from the Mekong region has proved that once artemisinin resistance becomes prevalent, resistance to the partner drug generally follows, causing the failure of ACT treatment.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

Scientists on Thursday confirmed the first clinical evidence of drug-resistant mutations of the parasite that leads to malaria making inroads in Africa. There have been concerns for long about the emergence of such mutations across the continent which makes up for over 90 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019.

Scientists on Thursday confirmed the first clinical evidence of drug-resistant mutations of the parasite that leads to malaria making inroads in Africa. There have been concerns for long about the emergence of such mutations across the continent which makes up for over 90 per cent of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019. A new report published in The Lancet has confirmed these fears. Also read | Sea snail venom could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria According to the trials, the disease persisted longer in children who were receiving standard treatment for malaria if they were infected with mutant strains of the parasite. Still, there is high efficacy of Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), but scientists insist on an "urgent need" for more monitoring in Rwanda, where the study was based as well in other neighbouring nations. Also read | GSK to move malaria vaccine production to India's Bharat Biotech "Our study shows that resistant isolates are starting to become more common," lead author Aline Uwimana, a researcher at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre in Kigali was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. ACT's, introduced in the early 2000s, is one of the most common and widely used treatments for malaria. In this treatment, the artemisinin component clears most of the pathogens from the infected body within three days and a long-acting partner drug kills the rest of the parasites. If the artemisinin component doesn't work within three days, it means that the parasites have developed resistance to this. Evidence from the Mekong region has proved that once artemisinin resistance becomes prevalent, resistance to the partner drug generally follows, causing the failure of ACT treatment. (With agency inputs)

Drug-resistant malaria making inroads in Africa: Study

Neurotoxins in sea snail contain curious compounds that appear to have powerful medicinal potential and could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria, as per a new study.

For something that is so fatal to human beings, the toxin laced venom of the snail is a wonderful contradiction of the natural world. Conus nux, a particular species of the&nbsp;sea snail worm in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica&nbsp;specifically target the surface of conotoxins.

This study is the first one of its kind suggesting the use of conotoxins for developing pharmacological tools for anti-adhesion adjunct therapy against malaria.

Similarly, mitigation of emerging diseases like AIDS and COVID-19 can also benefit from conotoxins as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as treatment.

Biomedical scientist Andrew Oleinikov Florida Atlantic University (FAU) explains,&nbsp;"Conotoxins have been vigorously studied for decades as molecular probes and drug leads targeting the central nervous systems.''

According to&nbsp;biochemist Frank Marí from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland,&nbsp;"Among the more than 850 species of cone snails there are hundreds of thousands of diverse venom exopeptides that have been selected throughout several million years of evolution to capture their prey and deter predators."

"This immense biomolecular library of conopeptides can be explored for potential use as therapeutic leads against persistent and emerging diseases affecting non-excitable systems."

These results provide a lead for further investigations into conotoxins and other venom peptides as potential candidates for anti-adhesion or blockade-therapies.

Neurotoxins in sea snail contain curious compounds that appear to have powerful medicinal potential and could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria, as per a new study.

Neurotoxins in sea snail contain curious compounds that appear to have powerful medicinal potential and could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria, as per a new study. For something that is so fatal to human beings, the toxin laced venom of the snail is a wonderful contradiction of the natural world. Conus nux, a particular species of the sea snail worm in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica specifically target the surface of conotoxins. This study is the first one of its kind suggesting the use of conotoxins for developing pharmacological tools for anti-adhesion adjunct therapy against malaria. Similarly, mitigation of emerging diseases like AIDS and COVID-19 can also benefit from conotoxins as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as treatment. Biomedical scientist Andrew Oleinikov Florida Atlantic University (FAU) explains, "Conotoxins have been vigorously studied for decades as molecular probes and drug leads targeting the central nervous systems.'' According to biochemist Frank Marí from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland, "Among the more than 850 species of cone snails there are hundreds of thousands of diverse venom exopeptides that have been selected throughout several million years of evolution to capture their prey and deter predators." "This immense biomolecular library of conopeptides can be explored for potential use as therapeutic leads against persistent and emerging diseases affecting non-excitable systems." These results provide a lead for further investigations into conotoxins and other venom peptides as potential candidates for anti-adhesion or blockade-therapies.

Sea snail venom could lead to new treatments for severe Malaria

A recent study,&nbsp;conducted by a team at Oregon State University, has found out the activity of&nbsp;disease-spreading mosquitoes triples in areas which have higher human acitivity.

To conduct the study, the researchers collected samples from inside the South Africa's Kruger National Park and the areas outside the park which are densely populated by humans. The samples showed a vast&nbsp;difference in the amount of mosquitoes present in the two environments as the samples collected from the areas densely populated had abundance of mosquitoes — that are responsible for spreading&nbsp;Zika and malaria.

“It seems to suggest that disease-carrying mosquito species certainly did better in human-altered environments,” study co-author Dr. Brianna Beechler, a disease ecologist and assistant professor of research at Oregon State University's Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, said.

In order to compare the behaviour of mosquitoes in different environments, researchers observed five&nbsp;“pressures wrought by human presence: organophosphate pesticide abundance; eutrophication, which is the over-mineralization of water that leads to widespread algae growth; population density; ungulate biomass, which includes domestic animals like cattle and wild animals like impala and buffalo; and vegetation loss."

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/climate-change-contributes-to-spread-of-diseases-through-mosquitoes-says-study-322683">Also read|&nbsp;limate change contributes to spread of diseases through mosquitoes, says study</a>

In 2016-17, during the wet season in South Africa, researchers caught 3,918 female mosquitoes from 39 different species. These mosquitoes were trapped from both inside and outside the national park.&nbsp;

"People care a lot about what environment a lion needs to succeed in; we've researched that extensively. But people don't do that with mosquitoes. We don't understand them as a group of species and how their ecology differs between species,"&nbsp;Beechler said.

"All we can do is reduce mosquitoes overall, but what may be more effective is to reduce certain species by modifying their habitats," she added.

However, she has stated that the reason behind this is not yet clear, and needs more research.

She has also added that some communities, such as in Carribean, put fish in the standing water which further consume these mosquitoes. However, she also stated that these techniques are not focused on specific disease-transmitting mosquitoes.&nbsp;

Bleacher also explained that these disease-transmiting mosquitoes — especially the ones carrying malaria, zika and chikungunya — have been entering new territories in the past few years, and studies such as these will help ascertain the change in behaviour and pattern of these mosquitoes.

“With climate change, mosquito distributions are likely to change, and disease distributions are likely to change,” Beechler said. “So it’d be nice to know how to target those species before that happens,” she said.

A recent study, conducted by a team at Oregon State University, has found out the activity of disease-spreading mosquitoes triples in areas which have higher human acitivity.

A recent study, conducted by a team at Oregon State University, has found out the activity of disease-spreading mosquitoes triples in areas which have higher human acitivity. To conduct the study, the researchers collected samples from inside the South Africa's Kruger National Park and the areas outside the park which are densely populated by humans. The samples showed a vast difference in the amount of mosquitoes present in the two environments as the samples collected from the areas densely populated had abundance of mosquitoes — that are responsible for spreading Zika and malaria. “It seems to suggest that disease-carrying mosquito species certainly did better in human-altered environments,” study co-author Dr. Brianna Beechler, a disease ecologist and assistant professor of research at Oregon State University's Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, said. In order to compare the behaviour of mosquitoes in different environments, researchers observed five “pressures wrought by human presence: organophosphate pesticide abundance; eutrophication, which is the over-mineralization of water that leads to widespread algae growth; population density; ungulate biomass, which includes domestic animals like cattle and wild animals like impala and buffalo; and vegetation loss." Also read| limate change contributes to spread of diseases through mosquitoes, says study In 2016-17, during the wet season in South Africa, researchers caught 3,918 female mosquitoes from 39 different species. These mosquitoes were trapped from both inside and outside the national park. "People care a lot about what environment a lion needs to succeed in; we've researched that extensively. But people don't do that with mosquitoes. We don't understand them as a group of species and how their ecology differs between species," Beechler said. "All we can do is reduce mosquitoes overall, but what may be more effective is to reduce certain species by modifying their habitats," she added. However, she has stated that the reason behind this is not yet clear, and needs more research. She has also added that some communities, such as in Carribean, put fish in the standing water which further consume these mosquitoes. However, she also stated that these techniques are not focused on specific disease-transmitting mosquitoes. Bleacher also explained that these disease-transmiting mosquitoes — especially the ones carrying malaria, zika and chikungunya — have been entering new territories in the past few years, and studies such as these will help ascertain the change in behaviour and pattern of these mosquitoes. “With climate change, mosquito distributions are likely to change, and disease distributions are likely to change,” Beechler said. “So it’d be nice to know how to target those species before that happens,” she said.

Human activities increase disease-spreading mosquitoes: Study

Deaths from HIV,&nbsp;tuberculosis&nbsp;and malaria could surge in poor and middle-income countries as already weak health systems grapple with severe disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a predictive study published on Monday.

Over the next five years, deaths from the three diseases could rise by as much as 10 per cent, 20 per cent&nbsp;and 36 per cent&nbsp;respectively, putting the mortality impact on a scale similar to the direct impact of the coronavirus pandemic itself, the modelling study found.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/over-63-million-predicted-to-develop-tuberculosis-by-2025-297360/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"In countries with a high malaria burden and large HIV and TB epidemics, even short-term disruptions could have devastating consequences for the millions of people who depend on programmes to control and treat these diseases," said Timothy Hallett, a professor at Imperial College London who co-led the work.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-using-tuberculosis-vaccine-may-be-reducing-coronavirus-deaths-us-study-312304">Countries using tuberculosis vaccine may be reducing coronavirus deaths: US study</a>

He said the knock-on impact of COVID-19 could undo some of the significant progress against these diseases made over the past two decades, "compounding the burden caused by the pandemic directly". But the risks could be mitigated, Hallett said, if countries strive to maintain core health services and deploy preventative measures against infections.

Published in the Lancet Global Health journal, the study - which used disease-modelling projections to map out possible COVID-19 pandemic scenarios - found that the greatest impact on HIV would be from interruption to supplies of the antiretroviral AIDS drugs taken by many patients to keep the disease in check.

The United Nations AIDS agency and the World Health Organization warned last week of such stock shortages, with more than a third of the world's countries already saying they are at risk of running out of antiretrovirals.

With malaria, the study found the largest impact would be due to disrupted distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, which protect millions of people from becoming infected by malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Deaths from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria could surge in poor and middle-income countries as already weak health systems grapple with severe disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a predictive study published on Monday.

Deaths from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria could surge in poor and middle-income countries as already weak health systems grapple with severe disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a predictive study published on Monday. Over the next five years, deaths from the three diseases could rise by as much as 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 36 per cent respectively, putting the mortality impact on a scale similar to the direct impact of the coronavirus pandemic itself, the modelling study found. "In countries with a high malaria burden and large HIV and TB epidemics, even short-term disruptions could have devastating consequences for the millions of people who depend on programmes to control and treat these diseases," said Timothy Hallett, a professor at Imperial College London who co-led the work. Also read| Countries using tuberculosis vaccine may be reducing coronavirus deaths: US study He said the knock-on impact of COVID-19 could undo some of the significant progress against these diseases made over the past two decades, "compounding the burden caused by the pandemic directly". But the risks could be mitigated, Hallett said, if countries strive to maintain core health services and deploy preventative measures against infections. Published in the Lancet Global Health journal, the study - which used disease-modelling projections to map out possible COVID-19 pandemic scenarios - found that the greatest impact on HIV would be from interruption to supplies of the antiretroviral AIDS drugs taken by many patients to keep the disease in check. The United Nations AIDS agency and the World Health Organization warned last week of such stock shortages, with more than a third of the world's countries already saying they are at risk of running out of antiretrovirals. With malaria, the study found the largest impact would be due to disrupted distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, which protect millions of people from becoming infected by malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Surge in deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria amid coronavirus pandemic: Study

At a time when countries across the globe are pushing their efforts to find a vaccine to treat novel coronavirus, an institute in US is experimenting with the saliva of mosquitoes to build a vaccine that can help in protecting against all the pathogens that insects transmit into humans.&nbsp;

The study led by Jessica Manning and conducted by US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases focuses on saliva protein of mosquitoes to build a universal vaccine that can resist malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile, Mayaro viruses, yellow fever, and any other related disease that may emerge.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-global-vaccine-mission-secures-74-billion-india-joins-uks-mission-303478">COVID 19: Global vaccine mission secures $7.4 billion; India joins UK's mission</a>

The Lancet, on Thursday, published the results of the first-ever clinical trial of a mosquito spit study in humans.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/race-for-covid-19-vaccine-china-wants-to-act-god-in-a-world-deep-in-pain-304359">Race for Covid-19 vaccine: China wants to act god in a world deep in pain</a>

It said that the vaccine was safe and activated antibody and cellular responses.

In the phase 1 trial of the vaccine, 49 health people were chosen and were randomly assigned to receive one of two versions of the vaccine or a placebo.&nbsp;

After a few weeks, mosquitoes were placed on the arms of the participants where their immune response to the mosquito saliva protein was seen.&nbsp;

However, pathogens were not involved in this trial.&nbsp;

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malaria alone is responsible for deaths of over 400,000 people each year.&nbsp;

Underdeveloped and developing nations generally contribute to deaths from&nbsp;this disease.

The coronavirus outbreak has brought focus on the research and vaccines of infectious disease, and one of the main concerns are pathogens spread by mosquitoes.&nbsp;

At a time when countries across the globe are pushing their efforts to find a vaccine to treat novel coronavirus, an institute in US is experimenting with the saliva of mosquitoes to build a vaccine that can help in protecting against all the pathogens that insects transmit into humans.

At a time when countries across the globe are pushing their efforts to find a vaccine to treat novel coronavirus, an institute in US is experimenting with the saliva of mosquitoes to build a vaccine that can help in protecting against all the pathogens that insects transmit into humans. The study led by Jessica Manning and conducted by US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases focuses on saliva protein of mosquitoes to build a universal vaccine that can resist malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile, Mayaro viruses, yellow fever, and any other related disease that may emerge. Also read | COVID 19: Global vaccine mission secures $7.4 billion; India joins UK's mission The Lancet, on Thursday, published the results of the first-ever clinical trial of a mosquito spit study in humans. Also read | Race for Covid-19 vaccine: China wants to act god in a world deep in pain It said that the vaccine was safe and activated antibody and cellular responses. In the phase 1 trial of the vaccine, 49 health people were chosen and were randomly assigned to receive one of two versions of the vaccine or a placebo. After a few weeks, mosquitoes were placed on the arms of the participants where their immune response to the mosquito saliva protein was seen. However, pathogens were not involved in this trial. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malaria alone is responsible for deaths of over 400,000 people each year. Underdeveloped and developing nations generally contribute to deaths from this disease. The coronavirus outbreak has brought focus on the research and vaccines of infectious disease, and one of the main concerns are pathogens spread by mosquitoes.

US institute develops vaccine from mosquito spit that could prevent next epidemic

Limited global stocks of two anti-malarial drugs could wreck plans to use the medicines, currently in clinical trials, to treat COVID-19, doctors cautioned on Thursday.&nbsp;

Around the world, countries are expanding access to chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which are used to treat malaria and are known to have anti-viral properties.

The medicines have shown early promise against the COVID-19 illness in studies in France and China.

CQ, which is the less toxic of the two, is also used as an anti-inflammatory to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, purposes it is primarily known for outside the tropics.&nbsp;

Writing in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, doctors in Italy -- the country hardest hit by COVID-19 -- said that limited supply could scupper any widespread attempt to use the two drugs against the virus.

They also cautioned that it was vital that patients already taking chloroquine for other illnesses should not be deprived of their supply.

"In some European countries the availability of HCQ and CQ in the pharmacies (outside the hospitals) is already scarce," Francesca Romana Spinelli, assistant professor at the Sapienza University of Rome and letter author, told AFP.

"This is an emerging problem for many patients already treated with CQ/HCQ for their autoimmune rheumatic disease."

Both medicines are known to have anti-viral properties and have shown some encouraging results in trials against COVID-19.&nbsp;

But they have a number of potentially serious side effects, and there are fears that treating COVID-19 patients, many of whom are on medication for underlying conditions, could court disaster.

On Wednesday the European Medicine Agency warned that CQ and HCQ should only be used on COVID-19 patients in clinical trials or in case of a "national emergency".

Iain McInnes, president of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), said that more research was needed before governments could consider rolling out the two drugs against the virus.

He said he was concerned "that the diversion of drug supplies away from people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases may compromise the health of this important and sizable group of patients in Europe and beyond."

In the letter, Italian doctors said using CQ and HCQ as widespread COVID-19 treatments would raise ethical concerns, given their known side effects.

"If mass prophylaxis was accepted as an option worldwide, this would raise the question of whether there is enough supply of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to support this approach," they added.

Limited global stocks of two anti-malarial drugs could wreck plans to use the medicines, currently in clinical trials, to treat COVID-19, doctors cautioned on Thursday.

Limited global stocks of two anti-malarial drugs could wreck plans to use the medicines, currently in clinical trials, to treat COVID-19, doctors cautioned on Thursday. Around the world, countries are expanding access to chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which are used to treat malaria and are known to have anti-viral properties. The medicines have shown early promise against the COVID-19 illness in studies in France and China. CQ, which is the less toxic of the two, is also used as an anti-inflammatory to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, purposes it is primarily known for outside the tropics. Writing in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, doctors in Italy -- the country hardest hit by COVID-19 -- said that limited supply could scupper any widespread attempt to use the two drugs against the virus. They also cautioned that it was vital that patients already taking chloroquine for other illnesses should not be deprived of their supply. "In some European countries the availability of HCQ and CQ in the pharmacies (outside the hospitals) is already scarce," Francesca Romana Spinelli, assistant professor at the Sapienza University of Rome and letter author, told AFP. "This is an emerging problem for many patients already treated with CQ/HCQ for their autoimmune rheumatic disease." Both medicines are known to have anti-viral properties and have shown some encouraging results in trials against COVID-19. But they have a number of potentially serious side effects, and there are fears that treating COVID-19 patients, many of whom are on medication for underlying conditions, could court disaster. On Wednesday the European Medicine Agency warned that CQ and HCQ should only be used on COVID-19 patients in clinical trials or in case of a "national emergency". Iain McInnes, president of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), said that more research was needed before governments could consider rolling out the two drugs against the virus. He said he was concerned "that the diversion of drug supplies away from people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases may compromise the health of this important and sizable group of patients in Europe and beyond." In the letter, Italian doctors said using CQ and HCQ as widespread COVID-19 treatments would raise ethical concerns, given their known side effects. "If mass prophylaxis was accepted as an option worldwide, this would raise the question of whether there is enough supply of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to support this approach," they added.

Doctors warn of malaria drug scarcity

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NASA is developing a new technique to forecast malaria outbreaks in Myanmar from space, as the emergence of new drug-resistant strains in Southeast Asia threatens efforts to wipe out the deadly disease globally.

The goal of worldwide malaria eradication within a generation, by 2050, is "bold but attainable", a report released this week in The Lancet argued.

Malaria cases and deaths plummeted by more than 90 per cent in Myanmar between 2010 and 2017, World Health Organisation (WHO) figures show, a success largely credited to better rural health services and wider use of treated bednets.

But the country still has a higher prevalence than its neighbours in the Mekong region.

Several drug-resistant strains are taking hold across Southeast Asia and it is feared these could migrate to Africa where more than 90 per cent of cases globally occur.

To counter this threat, NASA is deploying "cutting edge" spatial technology to tackle malaria outbreaks before they happen, scientist Tatiana Loboda told AFP.

She is applying her expertise in geospatial and risk modelling coupled with a background in predicting wildfire outbreaks in the US to identify potential hotspots so medicines and health workers can be mobilised in advance.

"A lot of people use a little spatial modelling but not to the same depth and capabilities as we're doing here," said Loboda, a professor at Maryland University.

The satellites provide meteorological data, including land surface temperatures, atmospheric water content, and information about land cover, including forest, shrubland, settlements or water.

These are then combined with socio-economic data gathered by teams of researchers carrying out in-depth surveys with sample populations in the field.

The project is only in its third year but Loboda's team has already seen a high correlation between the rate of deforestation and the disease.

One unproven theory is that these areas often dotted with logging sites, mines and plantations are hosts to a disproportionate number of migrant or seasonal workers, bringing with them new strains of the parasite.

The Maryland University team is working closely with local government and military scientists, collecting data from civilians and troops respectively.

But that brings challenges in a country where the armed forces keep their operations shrouded in mystery.

"We're not allowed to ask where they go," Loboda told AFP in Yangon, describing it as "like working blindfolded".

This is coupled with a lack of access to Myanmar's myriad conflict areas.

"I'm used to working with big data," Loboda bemoaned. "I want to blanket the whole country with random locations but I can't."

The project is not immune to geopolitics either.

The state of US-Myanmar relations can complicate meetings with the military in the capital Naypyidaw.

"Sometimes I can go, sometimes I can't," Loboda said.

NASA is developing a new technique to forecast malaria outbreaks in Myanmar from space, as the emergence of new drug-resistant strains in Southeast Asia threatens efforts to wipe out the deadly disease globally.

NASA is developing a new technique to forecast malaria outbreaks in Myanmar from space, as the emergence of new drug-resistant strains in Southeast Asia threatens efforts to wipe out the deadly disease globally. The goal of worldwide malaria eradication within a generation, by 2050, is "bold but attainable", a report released this week in The Lancet argued. Malaria cases and deaths plummeted by more than 90 per cent in Myanmar between 2010 and 2017, World Health Organisation (WHO) figures show, a success largely credited to better rural health services and wider use of treated bednets. But the country still has a higher prevalence than its neighbours in the Mekong region. Several drug-resistant strains are taking hold across Southeast Asia and it is feared these could migrate to Africa where more than 90 per cent of cases globally occur. To counter this threat, NASA is deploying "cutting edge" spatial technology to tackle malaria outbreaks before they happen, scientist Tatiana Loboda told AFP. She is applying her expertise in geospatial and risk modelling coupled with a background in predicting wildfire outbreaks in the US to identify potential hotspots so medicines and health workers can be mobilised in advance. "A lot of people use a little spatial modelling but not to the same depth and capabilities as we're doing here," said Loboda, a professor at Maryland University. The satellites provide meteorological data, including land surface temperatures, atmospheric water content, and information about land cover, including forest, shrubland, settlements or water. These are then combined with socio-economic data gathered by teams of researchers carrying out in-depth surveys with sample populations in the field. The project is only in its third year but Loboda's team has already seen a high correlation between the rate of deforestation and the disease. One unproven theory is that these areas often dotted with logging sites, mines and plantations are hosts to a disproportionate number of migrant or seasonal workers, bringing with them new strains of the parasite. The Maryland University team is working closely with local government and military scientists, collecting data from civilians and troops respectively. But that brings challenges in a country where the armed forces keep their operations shrouded in mystery. "We're not allowed to ask where they go," Loboda told AFP in Yangon, describing it as "like working blindfolded". This is coupled with a lack of access to Myanmar's myriad conflict areas. "I'm used to working with big data," Loboda bemoaned. "I want to blanket the whole country with random locations but I can't." The project is not immune to geopolitics either. The state of US-Myanmar relations can complicate meetings with the military in the capital Naypyidaw. "Sometimes I can go, sometimes I can't," Loboda said.

NASA developing new technology to forecast malaria outbreaks in Myanmar from space

Three people died and as many as 404 cases of dengue and malaria have been detected in Dakshina Kannada district, officials said on Sunday.

Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district Sasikanth Senthil said, "Due to the peculiar weather condition in the city, we are seeing a spurt in the cases of fever since July 1. As many as 404 dengue and malaria cases have been detected, of which we've suspected three cases where dengue fatalities occurred."

"In the last three weeks, there is a spike in the number of patients admitted to various hospitals due to viral fever. The blood samples of patients suspected of having dengue have been collected and sent for testing," he added.

Senthil said the district administration and health department have constituted special teams to tackle the situation.

Data compiled by the Health Ministry has revealed that at least 8,058 positive dengue cases with eight deaths, and 14404 cases of Chikungunya have been reported from across the country till June 30 this year.

A total of 66,313 Malaria cases have also been reported from across the country till May 31 this year, according to available data.&nbsp;

Three people died and as many as 404 cases of dengue and malaria have been detected in Dakshina Kannada district, officials said on Sunday. Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district Sasikanth Senthil said, "Due to the peculiar weather condition in the city, we are seeing a spurt in the cases of fever since July 1.

Three people died and as many as 404 cases of dengue and malaria have been detected in Dakshina Kannada district, officials said on Sunday. Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district Sasikanth Senthil said, "Due to the peculiar weather condition in the city, we are seeing a spurt in the cases of fever since July 1. As many as 404 dengue and malaria cases have been detected, of which we've suspected three cases where dengue fatalities occurred." "In the last three weeks, there is a spike in the number of patients admitted to various hospitals due to viral fever. The blood samples of patients suspected of having dengue have been collected and sent for testing," he added. Senthil said the district administration and health department have constituted special teams to tackle the situation. Data compiled by the Health Ministry has revealed that at least 8,058 positive dengue cases with eight deaths, and 14404 cases of Chikungunya have been reported from across the country till June 30 this year. A total of 66,313 Malaria cases have also been reported from across the country till May 31 this year, according to available data.

3 dead, 404 dengue and malaria cases detected in Dakshina Kannada

The sweltering heat of the Venezuelan forest makes no difference to Jose Gregorio, who trembles with a cold chill. "I have pain everywhere, fever," he stammers.&nbsp;

Gregorio has the classic symptoms of malaria, a disease eradicated years ago among his Yukpa indigenous people, but it's back with a vengeance all across crisis-struck Venezuela.

"He had sore joints and then started vomiting, and it's been four or five days since he's eaten anything," says his worried wife Marisol.&nbsp;

Their four-month-old baby babbles beside his father on the bed.

"The baby and I also had malaria," says Marisol. "Before, that was not the case here, there was only chikungunya and dengue, malaria came back here last year."&nbsp;

She doesn't bat an eyelid at the mention of either of the other mosquito-borne viruses, whose spread has been fueled by the collapse of Venezuela's health system.

"Here" is El Tucuco, a small village at the foot of the mountains that form the border with Colombia, a three-hour drive from Maracaibo in Venezuela's western Zulia state.

With 3,700 people, El Tucuco is the Yukpas' "capital" and malaria is rapidly making its presence felt here as in the rest of Venezuela -- a country that could once boast of being the first to have eradicated the disease in 1961.

'Pandemic'

There are no official statistics on malaria's reach into El Tucuco, nor on the number of deaths, it causes.&nbsp;

But from his consulting room at the Catholic Mission, Dr Carlos Polanco is seeing a developing crisis.&nbsp;

"Out of 10 people who are tested for malaria in the village laboratory, four to five come out with a positive test. This is an alarming figure."

Brother Nelson Sandoval, a Capuchin friar who presides over the mission, adds: "Before entering the order, I already knew this community and I had never seen a case of malaria. Today we are in the middle of a pandemic."

El Tucuco is affected by Plasmodium vivax, the most geographically widespread malarial species. The more lethal Plasmodium falciparum strain is prevalent in the Amazonian regions of southeastern Venezuela.

According to Sandoval and Polanco, the reason for malaria's sudden virulence in El Tucuco is simple: once-regular fumigation missions by the Venezuelan government stopped.

"And as the population of mosquitos increased, cases exploded," said Polanco.

Added to this is the malnutrition that weakens resistance to the disease, a new phenomenon since the economic crisis took hold at the end of 2015.&nbsp;

"Before, it was possible to vary one's diet, but with inflation the Yukpa cannot afford it," instead making do with what they can grow, like cassava and plantain, according to Polanco.

Rosa, 67, knows all about malnutrition. Lying on the floor of her house, she is battling malaria for the third time. "The doctor weighed me yesterday -- 37 kilograms. I was 83 kilos before."

A report published in British medical journal The Lancet in February warned of an epidemic of malaria and dengue fever as a result of the continuing crisis in Venezuela.

Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the number of malaria cases in the nation jumped 70 per cent.&nbsp;

"The situation is catastrophic," said Dr Huniades Urbina, secretary of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2018, "there were 600,000 cases of malaria and we, the scientific organizations, estimate that in 2019 we could reach a million cases" -- one in every 30 people.

But these figures are only estimates, "because the government conceals the statistics."

'Nobody answers us'

The malaria explosion has gone hand in hand with the worsening economic crisis. According to Nicolas Maduro's government, inflation reached a staggering 130,000 per cent in 2018 and GDP halved between 2013 and 2018.&nbsp;

In the oil-rich state of Zulia, service stations have been dry for more than a month. Electricity blackouts are commonplace and residents flee abroad in their thousands.

Despite a poster of late president Hugo Chavez at the entry to the clinic, there is little sign of government presence in El Tucuco. Dr Luisana Hernandez despairs of ever seeing any state help.

"Every day, everything is deteriorating a bit more," she says, exasperated. Refrigerators intended to keep vaccines cold do not work "because we have no gasoline to run the generator," and both the clinic's broken-down ambulances are gathering rust in the garden.

"We've knocked on every door. But nobody answers us," said Hernandez.

Without fuel to bring drugs from the city, without resources to prevent illnesses, eradicating malaria in an almost impossible task.

Brother Nelson does what he can, with help from the Catholic charity Caritas and the Pan American Health Organization. His mission distributes the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine to sick Yukpa people.

Maria Jose Romero, 22, was able to benefit from treatment. "Repeated seizures are due to the fact that many people cannot follow the treatment," for lack of drugs, she said.

Romero now lives across the border in Colombia, having fled Venezuela. She is visiting El Tucuco to see her family. Soon she will return to the other side of the mountain, on foot.

"It's three days' walk," she says.

The sweltering heat of the Venezuelan forest makes no difference to Jose Gregorio, who trembles with a cold chill. "I have pain everywhere, fever," he stammers. Gregorio has the classic symptoms of malaria, a disease eradicated years ago among his Yukpa indigenous people, but it's back with a vengeance all across crisis-struck Venezuela.

The sweltering heat of the Venezuelan forest makes no difference to Jose Gregorio, who trembles with a cold chill. "I have pain everywhere, fever," he stammers. Gregorio has the classic symptoms of malaria, a disease eradicated years ago among his Yukpa indigenous people, but it's back with a vengeance all across crisis-struck Venezuela. "He had sore joints and then started vomiting, and it's been four or five days since he's eaten anything," says his worried wife Marisol. Their four-month-old baby babbles beside his father on the bed. "The baby and I also had malaria," says Marisol. "Before, that was not the case here, there was only chikungunya and dengue, malaria came back here last year." She doesn't bat an eyelid at the mention of either of the other mosquito-borne viruses, whose spread has been fueled by the collapse of Venezuela's health system. "Here" is El Tucuco, a small village at the foot of the mountains that form the border with Colombia, a three-hour drive from Maracaibo in Venezuela's western Zulia state. With 3,700 people, El Tucuco is the Yukpas' "capital" and malaria is rapidly making its presence felt here as in the rest of Venezuela -- a country that could once boast of being the first to have eradicated the disease in 1961. 'Pandemic' There are no official statistics on malaria's reach into El Tucuco, nor on the number of deaths, it causes. But from his consulting room at the Catholic Mission, Dr Carlos Polanco is seeing a developing crisis. "Out of 10 people who are tested for malaria in the village laboratory, four to five come out with a positive test. This is an alarming figure." Brother Nelson Sandoval, a Capuchin friar who presides over the mission, adds: "Before entering the order, I already knew this community and I had never seen a case of malaria. Today we are in the middle of a pandemic." El Tucuco is affected by Plasmodium vivax, the most geographically widespread malarial species. The more lethal Plasmodium falciparum strain is prevalent in the Amazonian regions of southeastern Venezuela. According to Sandoval and Polanco, the reason for malaria's sudden virulence in El Tucuco is simple: once-regular fumigation missions by the Venezuelan government stopped. "And as the population of mosquitos increased, cases exploded," said Polanco. Added to this is the malnutrition that weakens resistance to the disease, a new phenomenon since the economic crisis took hold at the end of 2015. "Before, it was possible to vary one's diet, but with inflation the Yukpa cannot afford it," instead making do with what they can grow, like cassava and plantain, according to Polanco. Rosa, 67, knows all about malnutrition. Lying on the floor of her house, she is battling malaria for the third time. "The doctor weighed me yesterday -- 37 kilograms. I was 83 kilos before." A report published in British medical journal The Lancet in February warned of an epidemic of malaria and dengue fever as a result of the continuing crisis in Venezuela. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the number of malaria cases in the nation jumped 70 per cent. "The situation is catastrophic," said Dr Huniades Urbina, secretary of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2018, "there were 600,000 cases of malaria and we, the scientific organizations, estimate that in 2019 we could reach a million cases" -- one in every 30 people. But these figures are only estimates, "because the government conceals the statistics." 'Nobody answers us' The malaria explosion has gone hand in hand with the worsening economic crisis. According to Nicolas Maduro's government, inflation reached a staggering 130,000 per cent in 2018 and GDP halved between 2013 and 2018. In the oil-rich state of Zulia, service stations have been dry for more than a month. Electricity blackouts are commonplace and residents flee abroad in their thousands. Despite a poster of late president Hugo Chavez at the entry to the clinic, there is little sign of government presence in El Tucuco. Dr Luisana Hernandez despairs of ever seeing any state help. "Every day, everything is deteriorating a bit more," she says, exasperated. Refrigerators intended to keep vaccines cold do not work "because we have no gasoline to run the generator," and both the clinic's broken-down ambulances are gathering rust in the garden. "We've knocked on every door. But nobody answers us," said Hernandez. Without fuel to bring drugs from the city, without resources to prevent illnesses, eradicating malaria in an almost impossible task. Brother Nelson does what he can, with help from the Catholic charity Caritas and the Pan American Health Organization. His mission distributes the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine to sick Yukpa people. Maria Jose Romero, 22, was able to benefit from treatment. "Repeated seizures are due to the fact that many people cannot follow the treatment," for lack of drugs, she said. Romero now lives across the border in Colombia, having fled Venezuela. She is visiting El Tucuco to see her family. Soon she will return to the other side of the mountain, on foot. "It's three days' walk," she says.

Malaria surges back in crisis-hit Venezuela

The aim of the campaign, titled "Malaria Must Die, So Millions Can Live", is to encourage more people to raise awareness of the disease, which kills more than one million people every year.

David Beckham 'speaks' nine languages in call to end malaria

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