This document, issued by the United Nations Medical Directors in July 2021, outlines vaccination and malaria prophylaxis recommendations for UN personnel travelling on official business and UN healthcare workers. The guidance aims to minimise the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and malaria by f...ocusing on three key areas:(1) routine vaccines, such as those for influenza, measles, polio, hepatitis B, varicella and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes the disease known as 'Covid-19'), which are recommended for all staff regardless of their destination;
(2) destination-based measures, including mandatory vaccines (e.g. yellow fever, meningitis and polio), recommended vaccines depending on regional risks (e.g. cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and rabies) and WHO-advised malaria prevention through mosquito protection and chemoprophylaxis. The third area covers vaccines for healthcare workers with direct patient or laboratory exposure, including hepatitis B, influenza, diphtheria, pertussis and others. The recommendations emphasise the importance of pre-travel medical consultations, adherence to host country requirements, and individualised risk assessments.
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Malaria and HIV, two of the world’s most deadly diseases, are widespread, but their distribution overlaps greatly in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, malaria and HIV coinfection (MHC) is common in the region. In this paper, pertinent publications on the prevalence, impact, and treatment strategie...s of MHC obtained by searching major electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) were reviewed, and it was found that the prevalence of MHC in SSA was 0.7%–47.5% overall. Prevalence was 0.7%–47.5% in nonpregnant adults, 1.2%–27.8% in children, and 0.94%–37% in pregnant women. MHC was associated with an increased frequency of clinical parasitemia and severe malaria, increased parasite and viral load, and impaired immunity to malaria in nonpregnant adults, children, and pregnant women, increased in placental malaria and related outcomes in pregnant women, and impaired antimalarial drug efficacy in nonpregnant adults and pregnant women. Although a few cases of adverse events have been reported in coinfected patients receiving antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs concurrently, available data are very limited and have not prompted major revision in treatment guidelines for both diseases. Artemisinin-based combination therapy and cotrimoxazole are currently the recommended drugs for treatment and prevention of malaria in HIV-infected children and adults. However, concurrent administration of cotrimoxazole and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine in HIV-infected pregnant women is not recommended, because of high risk of sulfonamide toxicity. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of the impact of malaria on HIV, drug–drug interactions in patients receiving antimalarials and antiretroviral drugs concomitantly, and the development of newer, safer, and more cost-effective drugs and vaccines to prevent malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women.
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Preferred product characteristics” (PPCs) are key tools to incentivize and guide the development of urgently needed health products. The PPC published here describes the characteristics of new types of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to control malaria transmission in areas with insecticide-resist...ant mosquito populations. The document was developed to address the public health need caused by the evolution and spread of insecticide resistance, particularly to pyrethroids. Such resistance threatens the effectiveness of the current standard of malaria vector control in many countries, namely pyrethroid-only long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).
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The 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak was catastrophic in West Africa but the indirect impact of increasing the mortality rates of other conditions was also substantial. The increased number of deaths caused by malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis attributable to health system failures exceeded deaths from ...Ebola.
With a relatively limited COVID-19 caseload, health systems may have the capacity to maintain routine service delivery in addition to managing COVID-19 cases. When caseloads are high, and/or health workers are directly affected, strategic adaptations are required to ensure that increasingly limited resources provide maximum benefit for the refugees and surrounding host population. The following are key considerations for UNHCR operations on prioritized health care services in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. These are based on WHO Guidance for Maintaining Essential Health Services and UNHCR guidance for operations and where relevant operation or site level outbreak preparedness and response plans.
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The Mekong Malaria Elimination (MME) programme is an initiative aimed at supporting Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries – Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Yunnan (China) – in achieving the goal of malaria elimination by 2030. Data for this epidemi...ological summary were compiled from country reports. Between July and September 2024, 48 115 malaria cases were reported. During that period, GMS countries recorded 44% fewer cases, with P. falciparum + mixed and P. vivax cases declining by 81% and 36%, respectively. Meanwhile, testing declined by 25% when compared to the same period in 2023.
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Malaria remains a significant global health concern, with 249 million cases and 408,000 deaths reported in 2022, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. The most vulnerable populations are children under five and pregnant women. Rapid and accurate diagnosis using microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic test...s (mRDTs) is essential to ensure timely treatment, prevent severe disease and promote the rational use of antimalarial drugs. This UNICEF Technical Bulletin provides guidance on the procurement, quality assurance and selection of WHO-prequalified mRDTs, including considerations for areas with a high prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions. The bulletin also highlights UNICEF’s approach to sustainability, product verification and long-term arrangements with manufacturers, which ensure a reliable supply while supporting integrated child health management programmes. The bulletin serves as a valuable resource for countries, partners and programmes involved in the implementation of malaria case management and diagnostics.
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In 2015, 5.9 million children under age five died (1). The major causes of child deaths globally are pneumonia, prematurity, intrapartum-related complications, neonatal sepsis, congenital anomalies, diarrhoea, injuries and malaria (2). Most of these diseases and conditions are at least partially cau...sed by the environment. It was estimated in 2012 that 26% of childhood deaths and 25% of the total disease burden in children under five could be prevented through the reduction of environmental risks such as air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation and inadequate hygiene or chemicals.
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The Lancet October 25, 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01540-9
As climate change’s impacts continue to accrue, countries are persistently making wrong choices that are harming human health.
A desperate global thirst for fossil fuels is worsening climate change, leading to more extr...eme weather events that have hit every continent, led to thousands of deaths, and caused $250+ billion in damage in 2021.
• People 65+ and children <1 experienced 3.7 billion more heatwave days in 2021 than the annual average from 1986–2005.
• Heat-related deaths shot up 68% from 2000–2004 to 2017–2021.
• Climate change is abetting infectious disease transmission, warming coastal waters and leading to the spread of Vibrio bacteria like the one that causes cholera, and expanding the reach of the malaria parasite.
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This video highlights the significant risks that malaria poses to pregnant and breastfeeding women in malaria-endemic regions. It follows the stories of Angavu from Kenya, Moyinoluwa from Nigeria and Lamai from Thailand. It emphasises the severe consequences that malaria can have during pregnancy, i...ncluding miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight and maternal death. Due to safety concerns, pregnant women are often excluded from antimalarial drug trials, which causes long delays in effective medicines becoming available for this vulnerable group. To address this issue, the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) launched the Malaria in Mothers and Babies (MiMBa) initiative, which aims to accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of safe antimalarial treatments for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The initiative aims to close critical gaps in research, drug development, and access, ensuring that these women and their babies are better protected against malaria. The video calls for continued efforts to address the needs of underserved populations most affected by malaria.
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Malaria Mini: The Basics is an accredited video course led by Dr John F. Fisher. It provides clinicians with the essential knowledge needed to recognise, prevent and treat malaria. In under an hour, it covers the parasite’s life cycle, transmission, diagnostic methods and the treatment of both unc...omplicated and severe cases. It emphasises practical skills such as taking travel histories and identifying critical symptoms. Designed for flexibility, the course includes quizzes and offers Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. It is accessible online for free.
Accessed on 17/07/2025.
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Lancet Glob Health 2019 Published Online January 24, 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30479-0
The health-care system collapse underway in Venezuela is a cause of utmost concern for its people and, increasingly, for the wider region. Declines in provision of basic services, such as ...childhood immunisation, malaria control, water, sanitation, and nutritional support, have led to increasing morbidity and mortality rates from an array of preventable diseases, including malaria, measles, and diphtheria. Secondary and tertiary care have also been greatly affected, due to declining investment, out-migration of providers, and spiralling hyperinflation that has driven the country and its people into poverty.1 As is so often, and so tragically, the case, the most affected populations have been the most vulnerable: infants and children, their mothers, the poor (now the great majority of the populations), and indigenous people
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The CDC's "Malaria's Impact Worldwide" webpage provides an overview of malaria's global burden, highlighting that in 2022, there were approximately 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths, predominantly among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. It emphasizes that nearly half the world's po...pulation is at risk, with malaria being a leading cause of illness and death in many affected countries. The page also discusses the significant economic and social costs of malaria on individuals, families, communities, and nations. Despite progress in reducing mortality rates by 36% from 2010 to 2020, recent years have seen a plateau in advancements, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance and research.
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To mark the International Day of the African Child, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) celebrated the inclusion of three of its antimalarial medicines on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the EML for Children (EMLc). These are two artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for... adults, children and infants, and a rectal artesunate formulation for the pre-referral treatment of severe malaria in young children. The approved therapies — pyronaridine–artesunate, dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine and rectal artesunate — offer child-friendly formulations and are the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Inclusion in the EMLc facilitates national adoption, improves access to high-quality treatments and addresses the disproportionate malaria burden among children under five. This supports global efforts to reduce malaria mortality and advance elimination.
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CYCLONE IDAI
1.85M People affected; 400K Displaced; 603 Deaths; 1641 Injured; 1.2M People in need; 6766 Cholera cases; 43556 Malaria case
CYCLONE KENNETH
3214 Displaced; 45 Deaths; 91 Injured; 374K People in need; 225 Cholera cases; 7279 Malaria case
Malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of cases and fatalities occur, especially among children under five. Although there was a significant decline in global mortality and incidence between 2000 and 2015, progress has stalled sinc...e the late 2010s due to climate change, conflict, drug and insecticide resistance, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic. Economic modelling shows that achieving the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing malaria incidence by 90% by 2030 could generate substantial economic benefits, including an increase in GDP of $142.7 billion in endemic countries and $80.7 billion in global trade gains. To save lives, strengthen health systems, and drive sustainable economic growth, renewed investments in malaria control and elimination programmes, vaccine deployment, and coordinated international support are essential.
Accessed on 25/08/2025.
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No publication year indicated
The specific objectives of the plan are to:
- Scale up evidence-based, cost effective interventions through effective strategies within a HSS approach and provide equitable coverage with quality.
- Reduce neonatal mortality by improved home-based newborn ...care, early identification of sick newborns and improved access to institutional newborn care of adequate quality.
- Reduce common childhood illness related mortality (due to pneumonia and diarrhoea in all areas and malaria in endemic areas) by improving key family and community practices, community-based early diagnosis and management and referral care for complicated cases.
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