Malaria parasites are developing resistance to artemisinin, a key drug used to treat malaria. Resistance levels in some areas of East Africa have increased from under 1% to over 20% in just 3 years.
Parasites resistant to artemisinin first evolved in Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea and have since spread within and across country borders. Over 10% of cases are now resistant in several East African countries.
Scientists warn that unless urgent action is taken, millions of lives are at risk as treatments become increasingly ineffective. They point to the precedent of resistance to chloroquine in the 1970s which led to malaria deaths in Africa tripling by 2004.
Recommendations include adding a third drug to treatments, expanding bed net and indoor spraying programs, developing new vaccines, and ensuring timely sharing of resistance data between countries. Increased funding from organizations like the Global Fund is urged to contain the spread.
The continued spread of resistant parasites in Africa could mirror the situation in Southeast Asia, where artemisinin treatments started failing within 10-15 years of resistance emerging. Swift action is needed to avoid a major public health crisis.
Source: BBC
