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MALARIA-CAUSING PARASITES resistant to the main anti-malarial drugs are spreading across south-east Asia, researchers are warning.
Two new scientific studies warn that in parts of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia up to 80% of the most common malaria parasite were now resistant to the two most common antimalarial drugs.
The parasites have also acquired resistance linked to the failure of treatment in half of cases to one of the newest and most potent frontline drug combinations.
“These worrying findings indicate that the problem of multidrug resistance in P falciparum has substantially worsened in southeast Asia since 2015,” said Olivo Miotto from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University of Oxford, who co-led one of the studies published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.
“This highly successful resistant parasite strain is capable of invading new territories and acquiring new genetic properties.”
He warned of the “terrifying prospect” of the parasite spreading to Africa, where most malaria cases occur.
A similar resistance to another frontline malaria drug contributed to millions of deaths across Africa in the 1980s.
A drug combination known as DHA-PPQ was initially effective against the parasite, before doctors noticed signs of resistance in 2013.
The most recent study into the treatment’s failure rates showed they have now reached 53% in south-west Vietnam, and as high as 87% in north-eastern Thailand.
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Evolution played out in front us. Although I don’t think big farma will act.. Not untill there’s profit in it… And millions have died. Great world we live in.
@Dave Walsh: probably reason they are big pharma, because you know chasing profit is a good business strategy
@Dave Walsh: I don’t think it has anything to do with that. Most likely people taking the treatment and either feeling better and discontinuing the prescribed regimen or being unable to complete same because of lack of medicine in their area. Not completing a full regimen of anti malaria drugs and antibiotics can lead to parasites and bacteria becoming resistant. But sure the Big Pharma explanation is more exciting than following directions on life saving medication.
@Belebop: ignorence is a factor, as is poverty.. You don’t see big farma giving them medicine to save their lives do you? No profit in that.
They could be doing more, however they are contributing. https://accesstomedicinefoundation.org/newsroom/pharmaceutical-industry-doing-more-to-improve-access-to-medicine-in-developing-countries-performance-on-some-aspects-lags
@Dave Walsh: It takes 10-15 years and about €1.2 billion to develop a drug.
Flies have to be the most annoying insect in general
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: what about mosquitos?
@Dara O’Brien: Anything that flies … including Aer Lingus and Mick the Bus !
There are 4 other Anti Malarial drugs on the market, which are still effective, no need for anybody to change their holiday plans.
Guess where I’m not going on hols.
@Peter Kelly:
Ardmore, Carrick on Shannon, Cobh, Borris-in-Ossory, Saturn?
@Brian Stafford: Ahh I love sarcasm
@Brian Stafford: Boris ? Don’t tell me he’s over here !
have your say