How did Malaria Evolve?

A new study, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, reveals how the connection between chimpanzee and human genomes (the similarities in our DNA) may help answer this question. By analyzing the genomes of parasites that infect chimpanzees, scientists are able to understand how human-infecting malaria parasites may have evolved many years ago.

 

Chimpanzees and humans share evolutionary history, linking the evolution of malaria between our species.

In the News: Mixed Strain Malaria Infections

Malaria is caused by 5 species of parasite that is carried by over 30 different species of mosquitoes. This makes for some major complications. "We found that when hosts are co-infected with drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains, both strains are competitively suppressed," said Mary Bushman. "Anti-malarial therapy, by clearing drug-sensitive parasites from mixed infections, may result in competitive release of resistant strains." Read the article from Emory Health Sciences here.

Mosquitoes feed often, exposing them to a variety of strains of the malaria infection.

Is Ending Malaria Possible?

Scientists and philanthropists are hopeful. Read about the fight here, and about plans from organizations who are committed to ending malaria.
For more interesting news, read the articles below.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498374,00.asp
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Health/Eradicating-Malaria-in-a-Generation

More on the Progress Being Made Against Malaria

The fight continues, and is not in vain. Based on reports from the WHO and Unicef, over 700 million cases of malaria have been prevented since 2000 as a result of efforts aimed at tackling the disease. Further, death rate has fallen by 60% over the same time period. Read the story from BBC Health News and take two minutes to watch the video about plans to make malaria "no more". A report was published last September showing the figures that support this hopeful story.

In the News: How to Beat Malaria

From BBC Health News, a report that says it is possible to completely stop deaths from malaria in the coming years. For the full story, click here.

Very Low Income Households in Malawi Carry a Disproportionate Share of the Economic Burden of Malaria

Malaria takes an economic toll for several reasons. The cost of prevention and treatment as well as the wages lost due to illness greatly burden thousands of people. From a study about the economic impact of malaria in Malawian households, it was evident how disproportionately high the toll is on the poorest families. Stagnated economic growth and abject poverty are common in countries highly affected by malaria.