MALARIA - A REEMERGING DISEASE IN AFRICA

A recent upsurge of malaria in endemic-disease areas with explosive ep idemics in many parts of Africa is probably caused by many factors, in cluding rapidly spreading resistance to antimalarial drugs, climatic c hanges, and population movements. In Africa, malaria is caused by Plas modium falciparum and is transmitted by Anopheles gambiae complex. Con trol efforts have been piecemeal and not coordinated. Strategies for c ontrol should have a solid research base both for developing antimalar ial drugs and vaccines and for better understanding the pathogenesis, vector dynamics, epidemiology, and socioeconomic aspects of the diseas e. An international collaborative approach is needed to build appropri ate research in a national context and to effectively translate resear ch results into practical applications in the field. The Multilateral Initiative for Malaria in Africa can combine all of the above strategi es to plan and coordinate partnerships, networking, and innovative app roaches between African scientists and their Northern partners.