New report shows Malaria death rate halved since 2000!

This week the World Malaria Report for 2014 was released and showed deaths as a result of Malaria have halved between 2000 and 2013, saving an estimated 4.3 million lives. 

New bed nets with insecticides that kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes have been introduced to Malaria infected areas that last up to 5 years. In 2004 only 3% of those that were at risk and needed a mosquito net had access to one, now that number has risen to 50%.

Medical advances have also played a major part.The use of rapid diagnostic tests has risen significantly from what it was in 2000. 400 million patients received the treatments last year, compared to only 11 million in 2000.

Bed nets, along with rapid diagnosis of the disease and a drug called Artemisinins, have all contributed to the achievements in this week’s report released by World Malaria. 

In sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of malaria deaths occur, new infections have fallen by 26% from 173 million in 2000 to 128 million last year, despite a 43% increase in population.

Each year, more people are being reached with life-saving malaria interventions, the World Health Organisation says. World Health Organisation director general, Dr Margaret Chan said: "These tremendous achievements are the result of improved tools, increased political commitment, the burgeoning of regional initiatives, and a major increase in international and domestic financing. She added: "We must not be complacent. Most malaria-endemic countries are still far from achieving universal coverage with life-saving malaria interventions."

Although malaria funding totalled $2.7bn (£1.7bn) in 2013 - a threefold increase since 2005 - it is still significantly below the $5.1bn needed to achieve global targets for malaria control and elimination, says the World Health Organisation. 

The world’s first malaria vaccine is on track for a 2016 launch after British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline submitted its treatment to EU regulators this year.