Malaria Cases Decline

A declining trend has been noted in the number of malaria cases in Iran in the past five years, and the figure which was 8,000 cases in 2012 came down to 100 cases in 2016, said Ahmad Raeesi, head of Malaria Prevention Office at the Health Ministry, on the eve of World Malaria Day on April 25, IRNA reported.  World Health Organization has called for accelerated scale-up of efforts to prevent malaria and save lives– especially in Africa, which bears the greatest burden of malaria (90%).” Together with diagnosis and treatment, WHO recommends a package of proven prevention approaches, including insecticide treated nets, spraying indoor walls with insecticides, and preventive medicines for the most vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, under fives and infants.