New Ways to Tackle Malaria

Abstract

Malaria is one of the oldest tropical diseases and still remains a focus of attention. Sub-Saharan African countries contribute 90% of the total malaria cases in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated eliminating this disease by 2030 with the existing strategies and tools. Many initiatives are underway by several organizations, and 38 countries have achieved the elimination goal. The main backbone of the elimination process is smart surveillance followed by prompt public health responses. The control of the disease mainly relies on treatment of malaria positive cases with anti-malarials namely artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for Plasmodium falciparum. In India, chloroquine is still effective against P. vivax. Use of 8-aminoquinolines primaquine and more recently tefenoquine warrants testing of G6PD deficiency status to avoid unnecessary hemolysis. Vector control operations mainly depend on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spray (IRS) with insecticides. The threat of resistance draws an open challenge in both treatment and vector management. New initiatives on surveillance, treatment, chemoprevention, and vector control using modern techniques of artificial intelligence, machine learning, genetic engineering, and digital approach of community engagement have great potential to accelerate the malaria elimination process.