Quick notes on problems in treating and controlling malaria

Adequately and promptly treated, malaria is a curable disease.

The first widely used antimalarial treatment, quinine from Peruvian bark, was discovered long before anyone knew what caused malaria.

The parasite develops resistance to antimalarial drugs rapidly. In many parts of the world it has become resistant to chloroquine, the most commonly used and most affordable antimalarial.

Combination therapy is being used to prolong the useful life of antimalarials.

No malaria vaccines are available, although several are under development and testing.

Strategies to control and prevent malaria include the use of antimalarial drugs, insecticides to kill mosquitoes, and bednets to prevent biting at night.

Several major international initiatives have been launched to tackle malaria. These include the World Health Organization's Roll Back Malaria programme, the Multilateral Initiative in Malaria, and the Medicines for Malaria Venture.