Malaria deaths decline by 66% in Zambia
WHO-GENEVA — Malaria deaths reported from health facilities in Zambia have declined by 66%. This result along with other supporting data indicates that Zambia has reached the 2010 Roll Back Malaria target of a more than 50% reduction in malaria mortality compared to 2000. Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Sao Tome and Principe are the other African countries who have achieved major reductions in malaria mortality through accelerated malaria control activities. The decline in Zambia was especially steep after 3.6 million long-lasting insecticidal nets were distributed between 2006 and 2008. During this period malaria deaths declined 47% and nationwide surveys showed parasite prevalence declined 53% from 21.8% to 10.2% and the percentage of children with severe anemia declined 68% from 13.3% to 4.3%. Most moderate and severe anemia in children is caused by malaria. Also see today’s editorial in the Lancet [Volume 373, Issue 9673, 25 April 2009-1 May 2009, Pages 1409-1411]
