Malaria: First treatment approved for babies
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a deadly disease caused by a particular kind of infected mosquito called the Anopheles, which is typically most active at night. It's a huge problem in countries across Asia, Africa and South America.According to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) most recent figures, there were around 263 million cases of malaria in the world in 2023. Most cases occur in Africa (94% in 2023) and the disease is particularly harmful to young children.Malaria is not found in the UK and you can't catch the disease from another person.
A vaccine to help prevent cases of malaria was recommended by the WHO in October 2021 and has helped to reduce the amount of deaths due to the disease. Malaria treatments for children do exist but not specifically for very young children and babies.This is the first time a drug to treat Malaria in young children has ever been approved. Previously they have been treated with medicine designed for older children which is a risk as babies' livers are still developing and their bodies process it differently.It's been developed by a company called Novartis and it is planning to introduce it in a way that means they don't earn a profit - it makes the healthcare more accessible. Chief executive Vas Narasimhan said it's an important moment: "The smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve."
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