Dejen Nureye

Malaria Dejen Nureye

Malaria is an old disease and continues to be a major public health threat in many countries. Six Plasmodium species are recognized as the etiology of human malaria. Falciparum and vivax malaria produce a big challenge in the community. Malaria is transmitted mainly through Anopheles gambiae and funestus. The malaria parasite has a complex life cycle that takes place both inside the mosquito and human beings. Diagnosis of malaria is classified in to clinical and parasitological diagnoses. Half of the world population is at risk for malaria infection. Regardless of decrements in prevalence and incidence of malaria, its transmission is still dynamic around the world. Therefore, malaria control requires an integrated approach. However, lack of clear understanding on the overall biology of Plasmodium has created a challenge in an effort to develop new drugs, vaccines and preventive methods. Three types of vaccines and a lot of novel compounds are under per-clinical and clinical studies. Scientists from all corner of the world are in search of new targets and chemical entities. Although many drugs are in the pipeline, most of them are not able to kill both gametocytes and hypnozoites.