Will there ever be a cure?
Eventually we will be able to cure all strains of malaria. However, the biggest issue is that malaria is an ever-evolving disease, that continues to improve itself to become immune from cures and could eventually become a superbug that would require a massive amount of research, money and most importantly time. We will eventually find a cure for malaria, but the time that it will be effective for is the biggest question.
Why is malaria so difficult to cure?
Curing malaria is difficult because almost every location that contains malaria has a unique strain of the disease. For example, malaria in South Africa is different and will need a different cure to a strain of malaria in Argentina. Also, cures don’t completely solve the problem. Malaria evolves and becomes immune to remedies that have defeated it in the past, so cures have to increase in strength as malaria becomes stronger.
How are we trying to solve the problem?
Governments around the world are introducing vaccination programs to their respective countries. The only issues are affordability and transportation to people in remote communities.
Action is being taken to stop malaria at the source by spraying insecticides and other mosquito repellents. The use of quinine and artemisinin are natural remedies that can be used to solve the malaria problem.
People in malaria affected areas are also taking a practical approach by using bed nets that have been sprayed with insecticides.
VACCINES
Why is a vaccine necessary?
A vaccine is nessercary for utterly preventing and eradicating malaria because though cures and other measures prevent deaths on a large scale, the parasite is still present and rampant in mosquitos and the human bloodstream. Vaccines will stop the virus doing anything once it has departed the mosquito and truly kill it at all stages of the life cycle.
What are some of the problems with developing a vaccine?
Firstly, you need the correct protein for the job at hand. There are many types of protein each of which would need to have the following questions concidered. Can we grow it eaislily?, How effective is it? and what is the monetary cost involved? Once this stage has been passed, you need a method of delivery. This can be via injection or taken oraly. Then you need to chose the correct type of Adjevin, a drug that stimulates an immune response. Finally, you need to determine how to gets it where it needs to go, and if you can mass produce it.
Why is there not already a vaccine availible?
The main reason that vaccines are not avialible is because the parasite constantly changes and evolves in the bloodstream and builds resistance to tboth the immune system and cures. If you have are vaccinated and then the parasite evolves to treatment inside someone else and gets transferred to you via mosquito, then your vaccine means nothing. You will still get the parasite. The answer is a "cocktail vaccine" which can combat all types of malaria.
Aren't there any vaccines in development?
There are many at various stages but one, RTSS is the closest. It has a 60% protection rate and is close to the market stage.
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