Progress Ebbs and Flows in the Fight to Beat Malaria<\/h3>\n\nRecent developments in the fight against Malaria<\/a> have placed a heightened spotlight on World Malaria Day, observed on April 25. Fortunately, despite the high death toll and other troublesome signs lately, not all the news about malaria treatment is bad. There are gains amid the setbacks.<\/p>\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/woman-receive-mosquito-net.jpg\")
<\/a>This woman in West Bengal was very grateful to Believers Eastern Church and its leaders for providing her with a mosquito net to protect herself and her family from vector borne diseases like malaria.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOne positive example is Myanmar, where the annual malaria death toll of 3,800 a decade ago has decreased to approximately 170. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria credits the efforts of 17,000 community volunteers who provide rapid testing and treatment, with serious cases referred to health facilities. Volunteers also educate the public through national antimalaria campaigns.14<\/a><\/sup> Unfortunately, it\u2019s unknown if the recent military coup in Myanmar will adversely impact the recent progress it\u2019s achieved in the prevention of malaria.<\/p>\nNews of another positive development appeared last October in Legion<\/em>. About the same time the United States revealed a COVID-19 vaccine would be ready by the end of 2020, the Canadian magazine reported that a noted medical journal announced a new approach to fighting malaria.<\/p>\nLegion<\/em> reported a clinical researcher for the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has developed a vaccine for mosquito-borne diseases, based on mosquito spit. It causes the immune system to recognize mosquito saliva proteins and produce antibodies. The antibodies promote immunity by binding to pathogens to prevent them from damaging cells, plus coating pathogens and alerting other immune cells to attack and remove them.<\/p>\n\u201cThose antibodies recognize the proteins the next time they\u2019re encountered, sparking an immune response that goes into action to impair or prevent infection\u2014and not just to malaria, it turns out,\u201d wrote author Sharon Adams. \u201cIn animal studies, saliva vaccines impaired development of mosquito-borne Zika virus and sandfly-borne leishmaniasis.\u201d15<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\nIn the first human trial of this vaccine in 2017, Adams said a strong immune response was observed among 49 volunteers, with only minor side effects. Next it will be tested on larger groups; if clinical trials continue to prove successful, the first effective malaria vaccine may be just around the corner.<\/p>\n![\"Mother](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/mother-child-inside-mosquito-net.jpg\")
<\/a>Maya from a village in Uttar Pradesh was given a mosquito net as a Christmas gift by Gospel for Asia<\/a>. She can now protect her family from mosquito bites that transmit vector-borne diseases like malaria, Zika, dengue, encephalitis and more.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn addition to this promising development, a European magazine carried a report from a healthcare company official saying there are antimalaria positives to be gained from the COVID-19 fight. Hogan Bassey, a Nigerian native who experienced several bouts with malaria as a child, noted that the pandemic highlighted system failings in global healthcare. He said if we are able to address those problems, the world will be better positioned to eradicate malaria and other diseases.<\/p>\n
The chief innovation officer and founder of LivFul said his company is working with others\u2014including nonprofits\u2014to develop a repellent that it hopes will prove an efficient control tool. It has been working on a project in Ghana with a pharmaceutical company to improve one of the repellant\u2019s ingredients, using LivFul\u2019s technology to drive access.<\/p>\n![\"Hogan](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/hogan-bassey-square.jpg\")
After moving to the USA from Nigeria, Hogan Bassey began to work on an insect repellent formula to change the world. The true breakthrough for his new company, LivFul<\/a>, came after partnering with a physical chemist to create a brand-new technology which allows insect repellent to remain on top of the applicant\u2019s skin for 14 hours at a time. Photo by Terry News<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\u201cWhen we developed a revolutionary family-friendly insect repellent to halt the transmission of diseases like malaria and Dengue fever, we knew we could have a significant impact on insect-borne disease,\u201d Bassey wrote in EPM Magazine<\/em>. \u201cIf people in malaria-prone areas can purchase and use our repellent, these diseases can be stopped before they destroy lives, families, communities and industries.\u201d16<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\nSuch a product won\u2019t be the first tool developed. National Geographic<\/em> recently reported hundreds of thousands of children across Kenya, Malawai and Ghana have been receiving the RTS,S vaccine, whose development has taken 35 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. While some African health professionals have asked if the expense and logistics of multiple vaccinations are worth it, the magazine said some Chinese scientists have been utilizing a new approach: preventing malaria from even occurring.<\/p>\nIt goes back to 1972, when the Chinese discovered Artemisinin, a drug used to treat malaria. Now, scientists there believe Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) can be delivered to an entire community simultaneously, through Mass Drug Administrations. The goal is to reduce levels of the malaria parasite in human blood, so mosquitoes won\u2019t contract it and spread it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe life cycle for a mosquito is 30 days,\u201d explains Ethan Peng, senior manager in Kenya for the Chinese company New South, which manufactures ACTs. \u201cSo by mass medication, we can clear the source from all human beings (so) the mosquitoes cannot pick up on the malaria parasite again with their short lifespan.\u201d17<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n![\"Crowd](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/woman-crowd-mosquito-nets.jpg\")
<\/a>People in rural villages in West Bengal often suffer from malaria, but these folk were very happy to receive mosquito nets for their families. Over eight hundred mosquito nets were gifted to the villagers who come from economically poor backgrounds, and might not have been able to afford to buy them on their own.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMosquito Nets Still the Leading Tool for Protection<\/h3>\n![\"Children](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/children-sleeping-mosquito-net.jpg\")
<\/a>Vandana and Vaibhav are sleeping peacefully on their bed in Maharashtra under their mosquito net which protects them from mosquito bites. They received their bed nets from a Christmas gift distribution from Gospel for Asia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen it comes to fighting malaria, the bed net still appears to be the leading tool. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, WHO malaria scientist Pedro Alonso expected the biggest malaria disaster in 20 years after African countries temporarily suspended bed net campaigns.<\/p>\n
That didn\u2019t seem to be happening, the scientist said five months later. He credited lobbying by WHO\u2019s Global Malaria Programme and its partners, which persuaded countries to resume their net distribution campaigns. Despite concerns over continuing COVID-19 problems, Alonso said, \u201cWe probably stopped the first big blow.\u201d18<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\nAmong the many non-governmental organizations doing their part to distribute mosquito nets is Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/malaria-update-2021-stats-photo-1.png\")
Since 2010, GFA has distributed more than 1.3 million nets to at-risk residents in mosquito-prone areas, including 380,000 in 2019 (many are treated with insecticide, with availability depending on local conditions).<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/malaria-update-2021-stats-photo-2.png\")
These efforts are augmented by distribution of malaria pills at GFA\u2019s medical camps. In 2019 the organization hosted nearly 1,300 camps, which are free to attendees.<\/span><\/p>\nThe difference net distributions make can be seen in the stories of people like Baharupa, a 55-year-old farmer and father of three who felt pressured to drink alcohol at many village-wide events. Not only did he often wind up drunk, he developed an addiction. That all changed after Satyam, a GFA worker, organized a distribution of 4,000 nets.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Bhranti\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/bhranti.jpg\")
After 71 years, Bhranti, a widow, no longer has to worry about mosquitoes biting her in the night thanks to the new bed net she received from a distribution event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cWho can give us mosquito nets without money?\u201d Baharupa wondered. \u201cThis shows [the believers\u2019] love towards us.\u201d19<\/a><\/sup>This experience so touched Baharupa that it began a transformation in his life.<\/p>\nAnother story of relief involves a 71-year-old widow whose husband had died more than a decade prior. With four daughters all married, Bhranti spent evenings alone, worried about the tattered net providing her only protection from mosquitoes. She received a new net through a distribution organized by a GFA worker.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so grateful to the [GFA workers] for their love and care and for providing a mosquito net,\u201d Bhranti says. \u201cNow I do not need to worry about buying a mosquito net as I have been provided a new one.\u201d20<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\nEven amid the problems COVID-19 has caused in poorer parts of the world, GFA\u2019s supporters have been able to help local workers in the field save lives and prevent more tragedies during the pandemic, says Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a> founder, Dr. K.P. Yohannan<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/792\/2021\/04\/kp-yohannan-square.jpg\")
Dr. K.P. Yohannan,
GFA World Founder<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cWithout proper prevention or treatment, the consequences of a simple mosquito bite are very serious in many places of the world,\u201d Yohannan says. \u201cBut for just $10, we can protect numerous lives, one net at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhat can we do about mosquito-driven scourges? \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\nOne simple way to fight mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, is to consider giving a needy family a simple Mosquito Net<\/a>. For only $10, Gospel for Asia\u2019s field partners can distribute one of these effective nets to an at-risk family in Asia and provide them with safety from insects during the day and at night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nRead the rest of this Gospel for Asia \u2013 Transforming Communities<\/a> (GFA World) Special Report: Malaria Makes Comeback Amid Pandemic<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014<\/em> Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAbout GFA World<\/strong><\/h3>\nGFA World<\/a> (formerly known as Gospel for Asia<\/a>) is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World\u2019s latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. In the years ahead, GFA World expects to launch programs in numerous African nations, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https:\/\/press.gfa.org\/news<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRead more blogs on\u00a0GFA World<\/a>, Malaria, <\/a>Mosquito Nets<\/a> and the COVID 19 Pandemic<\/a>\u00a0on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.<\/p>\nLearn more by reading this Special Report<\/a> from Gospel for Asia: Winning the Ancient Conflict Between Man and Mosquito<\/a> \u2014 Know Your Enemy or Succumb to Vector-borne Diseases<\/p>\nKP Yohannan has issued two statements about the COVID-19 situation found here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\nGFA\u2019s Statement About Coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLearn more about Gospel for Asia: Facebook<\/a> | YouTube<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | SourceWatch<\/a> | Integrity<\/a> | Lawsuit Update<\/a> | 5 Distinctives<\/a> | 6 Remarkable Facts<\/a> | 10 Milestones<\/a> | Media Room<\/a> | Water Stress<\/a> | Endorsements<\/a> | 40th Anniversary<\/a> | Lawsuit Response<\/a> | International Offices<\/a> | Missionary and Child Sponsorship<\/a> | Transforming Communities through God\u2019s Love<\/a><\/p>\nNotable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews<\/a>, ChristianPost<\/a>, NYPost<\/a>, MissionsBox<\/a><\/p>\nRead what 24 Christian Leaders are affirming<\/a> about Gospel for Asia.<\/p>\nThis Special Report<\/a> originally appeared on gfa.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Recent developments in the fight against Malaria<\/a> have placed a heightened spotlight on World Malaria Day, observed on April 25. Fortunately, despite the high death toll and other troublesome signs lately, not all the news about malaria treatment is bad. There are gains amid the setbacks.<\/p>\n One positive example is Myanmar, where the annual malaria death toll of 3,800 a decade ago has decreased to approximately 170. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria credits the efforts of 17,000 community volunteers who provide rapid testing and treatment, with serious cases referred to health facilities. Volunteers also educate the public through national antimalaria campaigns.14<\/a><\/sup> Unfortunately, it\u2019s unknown if the recent military coup in Myanmar will adversely impact the recent progress it\u2019s achieved in the prevention of malaria.<\/p>\n News of another positive development appeared last October in Legion<\/em>. About the same time the United States revealed a COVID-19 vaccine would be ready by the end of 2020, the Canadian magazine reported that a noted medical journal announced a new approach to fighting malaria.<\/p>\n Legion<\/em> reported a clinical researcher for the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has developed a vaccine for mosquito-borne diseases, based on mosquito spit. It causes the immune system to recognize mosquito saliva proteins and produce antibodies. The antibodies promote immunity by binding to pathogens to prevent them from damaging cells, plus coating pathogens and alerting other immune cells to attack and remove them.<\/p>\n \u201cThose antibodies recognize the proteins the next time they\u2019re encountered, sparking an immune response that goes into action to impair or prevent infection\u2014and not just to malaria, it turns out,\u201d wrote author Sharon Adams. \u201cIn animal studies, saliva vaccines impaired development of mosquito-borne Zika virus and sandfly-borne leishmaniasis.\u201d15<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n In the first human trial of this vaccine in 2017, Adams said a strong immune response was observed among 49 volunteers, with only minor side effects. Next it will be tested on larger groups; if clinical trials continue to prove successful, the first effective malaria vaccine may be just around the corner.<\/p>\n In addition to this promising development, a European magazine carried a report from a healthcare company official saying there are antimalaria positives to be gained from the COVID-19 fight. Hogan Bassey, a Nigerian native who experienced several bouts with malaria as a child, noted that the pandemic highlighted system failings in global healthcare. He said if we are able to address those problems, the world will be better positioned to eradicate malaria and other diseases.<\/p>\n The chief innovation officer and founder of LivFul said his company is working with others\u2014including nonprofits\u2014to develop a repellent that it hopes will prove an efficient control tool. It has been working on a project in Ghana with a pharmaceutical company to improve one of the repellant\u2019s ingredients, using LivFul\u2019s technology to drive access.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we developed a revolutionary family-friendly insect repellent to halt the transmission of diseases like malaria and Dengue fever, we knew we could have a significant impact on insect-borne disease,\u201d Bassey wrote in EPM Magazine<\/em>. \u201cIf people in malaria-prone areas can purchase and use our repellent, these diseases can be stopped before they destroy lives, families, communities and industries.\u201d16<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Such a product won\u2019t be the first tool developed. National Geographic<\/em> recently reported hundreds of thousands of children across Kenya, Malawai and Ghana have been receiving the RTS,S vaccine, whose development has taken 35 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. While some African health professionals have asked if the expense and logistics of multiple vaccinations are worth it, the magazine said some Chinese scientists have been utilizing a new approach: preventing malaria from even occurring.<\/p>\n It goes back to 1972, when the Chinese discovered Artemisinin, a drug used to treat malaria. Now, scientists there believe Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) can be delivered to an entire community simultaneously, through Mass Drug Administrations. The goal is to reduce levels of the malaria parasite in human blood, so mosquitoes won\u2019t contract it and spread it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe life cycle for a mosquito is 30 days,\u201d explains Ethan Peng, senior manager in Kenya for the Chinese company New South, which manufactures ACTs. \u201cSo by mass medication, we can clear the source from all human beings (so) the mosquitoes cannot pick up on the malaria parasite again with their short lifespan.\u201d17<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n When it comes to fighting malaria, the bed net still appears to be the leading tool. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, WHO malaria scientist Pedro Alonso expected the biggest malaria disaster in 20 years after African countries temporarily suspended bed net campaigns.<\/p>\n That didn\u2019t seem to be happening, the scientist said five months later. He credited lobbying by WHO\u2019s Global Malaria Programme and its partners, which persuaded countries to resume their net distribution campaigns. Despite concerns over continuing COVID-19 problems, Alonso said, \u201cWe probably stopped the first big blow.\u201d18<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Among the many non-governmental organizations doing their part to distribute mosquito nets is Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n The difference net distributions make can be seen in the stories of people like Baharupa, a 55-year-old farmer and father of three who felt pressured to drink alcohol at many village-wide events. Not only did he often wind up drunk, he developed an addiction. That all changed after Satyam, a GFA worker, organized a distribution of 4,000 nets.<\/p>\n \u201cWho can give us mosquito nets without money?\u201d Baharupa wondered. \u201cThis shows [the believers\u2019] love towards us.\u201d19<\/a><\/sup>This experience so touched Baharupa that it began a transformation in his life.<\/p>\n Another story of relief involves a 71-year-old widow whose husband had died more than a decade prior. With four daughters all married, Bhranti spent evenings alone, worried about the tattered net providing her only protection from mosquitoes. She received a new net through a distribution organized by a GFA worker.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so grateful to the [GFA workers] for their love and care and for providing a mosquito net,\u201d Bhranti says. \u201cNow I do not need to worry about buying a mosquito net as I have been provided a new one.\u201d20<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Even amid the problems COVID-19 has caused in poorer parts of the world, GFA\u2019s supporters have been able to help local workers in the field save lives and prevent more tragedies during the pandemic, says Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a> founder, Dr. K.P. Yohannan<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout proper prevention or treatment, the consequences of a simple mosquito bite are very serious in many places of the world,\u201d Yohannan says. \u201cBut for just $10, we can protect numerous lives, one net at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n What can we do about mosquito-driven scourges? \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n One simple way to fight mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, is to consider giving a needy family a simple Mosquito Net<\/a>. For only $10, Gospel for Asia\u2019s field partners can distribute one of these effective nets to an at-risk family in Asia and provide them with safety from insects during the day and at night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Read the rest of this Gospel for Asia \u2013 Transforming Communities<\/a> (GFA World) Special Report: Malaria Makes Comeback Amid Pandemic<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014<\/em> Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n GFA World<\/a> (formerly known as Gospel for Asia<\/a>) is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World\u2019s latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. In the years ahead, GFA World expects to launch programs in numerous African nations, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https:\/\/press.gfa.org\/news<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Read more blogs on\u00a0GFA World<\/a>, Malaria, <\/a>Mosquito Nets<\/a> and the COVID 19 Pandemic<\/a>\u00a0on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.<\/p>\n Learn more by reading this Special Report<\/a> from Gospel for Asia: Winning the Ancient Conflict Between Man and Mosquito<\/a> \u2014 Know Your Enemy or Succumb to Vector-borne Diseases<\/p>\n KP Yohannan has issued two statements about the COVID-19 situation found here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n GFA\u2019s Statement About Coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n Learn more about Gospel for Asia: Facebook<\/a> | YouTube<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | SourceWatch<\/a> | Integrity<\/a> | Lawsuit Update<\/a> | 5 Distinctives<\/a> | 6 Remarkable Facts<\/a> | 10 Milestones<\/a> | Media Room<\/a> | Water Stress<\/a> | Endorsements<\/a> | 40th Anniversary<\/a> | Lawsuit Response<\/a> | International Offices<\/a> | Missionary and Child Sponsorship<\/a> | Transforming Communities through God\u2019s Love<\/a><\/p>\n Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews<\/a>, ChristianPost<\/a>, NYPost<\/a>, MissionsBox<\/a><\/p>\n Read what 24 Christian Leaders are affirming<\/a> about Gospel for Asia.<\/p>\n This Special Report<\/a> originally appeared on gfa.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n<\/a><\/a><\/a>Mosquito Nets Still the Leading Tool for Protection<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Since 2010, GFA has distributed more than 1.3 million nets to at-risk residents in mosquito-prone areas, including 380,000 in 2019 (many are treated with insecticide, with availability depending on local conditions).<\/span><\/p>\nThese efforts are augmented by distribution of malaria pills at GFA\u2019s medical camps. In 2019 the organization hosted nearly 1,300 camps, which are free to attendees.<\/span><\/p>\n
GFA World Founder<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\nAbout GFA World<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n