Malaria remains a significant global health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears the brunt of the disease.
This post will delve into the latest on malaria and its global impact, the concern regarding treatment resistance, and the progress made in developing vaccines to combat this devastating disease.
In 2020, the estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627,000. Over 75% of these deaths were in children and malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. In October this year, the WHO approved the first malaria vaccine for widespread use across regions in which malaria is endemic.
Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasites found in the triatomine bug or 'kissing bug', is endemic to all Latin American countries. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic cardiac and gastrointestinal problems which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This article outlines the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease, what can be down to prevent patients from progressing to chronic infection and how to manage cardiac complications.
Despite widely available treatment, more than 200,000 new leprosy cases are registered each year globally - highlighting the need to stem transmission. At MedShr we are building a global community of health care professionals with an interest in infectious diseases offering a platform for healthcare professionals to share their experiences of managing patients with leprosy and to learn from each other about how best to deliver care in their region.
How close are we to a cure? Research into a COVID-19 vaccine and antiviral therapy is still underway while the coronavirus spreads to more countries and cities everyday. What is being done in this race for a solution?
