In 1978 the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, “As of April 14, 1978, no cases of smallpox have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from anywhere in the world since the last case had onset of rash on October 26, 1977, in Merka town, Somalia. However, a total of… Continue reading Disease Eradication: Somalia Then and Now
Category: Peace/Conflict
Refugees may escape conflict, but not malaria
We have looked at the exacerbation of malaria in conflict situations before, and unfortunately will probably need to look at the issue again. A new article in Malaria Journal shows that even when refugees escape from the conflict zone, they may still be confronted by malaria in their camps. Bayoh and colleagues looked at Kakuma… Continue reading Refugees may escape conflict, but not malaria
War and Malaria
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the US Civil War. The most common number of deaths attributed to that war is 620,000, a number that surpasses mortality in all other US wars from independence to Vietnam. Ironically two-thirds of these deaths were from disease. Reports have it that, ” Surgeons from both… Continue reading War and Malaria
Fragile States, Fragile Malaria Control
When the Roll Bank Malaria Partnership was launched 13 years ago, one of the basic tenents of the effort was that malaria control could not succeed without a concurrent reform and strengthening of health systems. It was health systems weaknesses (in addition to pesticide resistance) that led to the failure of the first campaign to… Continue reading Fragile States, Fragile Malaria Control
Can Southern Sudan Vote for Independence from Malaria?
As the New York Times in describing preparations for the independence vote in Southern Sudan points out today, “With little more than a week to go until the vote, ballots have been printed, voters registered and campaign rallies held. A countdown clock is posted in the capital, Juba, and foreign officials are flying in for… Continue reading Can Southern Sudan Vote for Independence from Malaria?
Politics and malaria elimination do not mix
The New York Times reported this week that … Malaria cases jumped 25 percent in Sri Lanka from 2009 to 2010, the country’s ministry of health is reporting. And while this year’s total is still small, at 580, the trend is unsettling to experts. Sri Lanka is a bellwether for the dream of malaria eradication… Continue reading Politics and malaria elimination do not mix
Invisible but Important: IDPs, Refugees and Malaria
Between 1998 and 2008 there were 30 malaria endemic African countries with ≥10,000 refugees and 18 countries with ≥10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) according to Paul Spiegel and colleagues. Speigel’s group examined whether these populations were accounted for in National Strategic Plans (NSPs) and approved Global Fund applications. The results were not encouraging. 7th Space… Continue reading Invisible but Important: IDPs, Refugees and Malaria
Oil and Water
While safe larviciding measures exit today, an old mosquito larvae control measure often suggested by your district health inspector was pouring petroleum products like used engine oil on breeding sites. Over the years the Shell Petroleum Development Corporation of Nigeria appears to have taken this old suggestion too far. The Guardian reports that now, “A… Continue reading Oil and Water
No honors being on MSF’s top 10 list
For the past 12 years Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have produced a list of the top 10 humanitarian crises of the year. In 2009 the shame manifested in three distinct patterns: governments blocked lifesaving assistance to trapped populations, including in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Sudan, where aid groups—including some MSF teams—were expelled from… Continue reading No honors being on MSF’s top 10 list
Malaria in Conflict Areas – Southern Sudan
As long as malaria endemic areas around the world overlap with conflicts within or between countries, our chances of eliminating the disease are doubtful. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports that, “Since December 2008, there has been a disturbing escalation in violent clashes across Southern Sudan,” an area which is affected by both internal and external… Continue reading Malaria in Conflict Areas – Southern Sudan