Progress in malaria control in endemic areas

SummaryThe international community is now making a serious effort to bring malaria under control. Funds for malaria control have become available on a scale not seen since the days of the eradication campaign 50 years ago. These new resources are being used largely to support a supply of artemisinin combination therapy to replace ineffective chloroquine and sulphadoxixne pyrimethamine for first line treatment of malaria and for the provision of long-lasting, insecticide treated bednets. There are early indications from several countries in Africa that this renewed effort at malaria control is beginning to have an effect but additional tools will probably be needed, including a highly effective vaccine, if the ultimate goal of malaria eradication is to be achieved.