Estratégias e desafios no combate à malária

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world, whose etiologic agents are protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Recent data show that approximately 40% of the population is exposed to malaria, especially individuals who live in tropical or subtropical countries. In recent years, there was a growing concern with the disease combat. The controls infection strategies are based on development of vaccines and drugs, as well as the advancement of politics for the vectors eradication, chemoprophylaxis and improvement of health systems. In this revision therapeutic measures, vaccination, and economic, political and social aspects are presented, which may contribute to elimination of malaria.