A mosquito sits on a stick April 9, 2009. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Malaria: The view from South Africa
In effort to combat malaria, South Africa continues to use DDT.
JOHANNESBURG — More than three decades after much of the developed world banned DDT use, South Africa maintains the maligned pesticide as a cornerstone of its malaria control strategy.
South Africa credits indoor DDT spraying in high-risk areas with dramatically decreasing the number of malaria cases and malaria-related deaths here in recent years. The negative effects of the chemical on humans, wildlife and the environment remain the topic of hot debates and scientific studies, but South Africa has determined that DDT’s efficacy in keeping disease-carrying mosquitoes at bay is too great to pass up.
“Overwhelmingly, the public health benefits are higher than any potential (pitfalls),” said Richard Tren, director of Africa Fighting Malaria, an advocacy group based both in South Africa and the United States.
South Africa introduced malaria control measures in the 1930s, and the risk of infection is now relatively low and seasonal — mostly during the wet summer months. Malaria transmission is limited to low-altitude areas in the northeastern part of the country near the border with Mozambique and Swaziland. Out of South Africa’s nine provinces, only three — Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal — regularly report cases of malaria infection.
The number of malaria cases declined steadily until the mid-1990s, when it suddenly increased to peak at more than 64,000 cases and 458 deaths in 2000 — the highest number since the 1930s. The reason for the increase was three-fold. First, parasites had developed resistance to anti-malarial drugs; second, South Africa experienced unusually heavy rainfall after several years of drought; and third, mosquitoes weren’t deterred by synthetic pyrethroids, the insecticide that had replaced DDT for indoor spraying.
South Africa quickly reverted to DDT as its insecticide of choice, and the number of cases and deaths fell accordingly. For the 2006 to 2007 season, there were just 5,596 cases and 37 deaths, according to the South African Department of Health. Statistics for 2007 to 2008 — the most recent available — show a slight increase with 7,773 cases and 65 malaria-related deaths.
South Africa is the leader of regional efforts to fight malaria. Control of the disease is an integral part of the joint development program it started with Mozambique and Swaziland in 2000. South Africa also assists five other countries — including neighbors Botswana and Namibia — with DDT indoor spraying programs. South Africa’s malaria control efforts are self-funded, but some of these other countries receive support through the $1.2 billion U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative.
Recent on Health:
Asia's pushback to big tobacco
Patrick Winn - Thailand - November 15, 2009 12:30 ET
The cigarette industry wants a bigger slice of Asia. Activists want them to butt out.
Fat in Japan? You're breaking the law.
David Nakamura - Japan - November 11, 2009 08:40 ET
As the health care debate rages in the US, Tokyo lawmakers set a maximum waist size. Are you too fat for Japan?
Swine flu panic — and politics — hit Ukraine
David L. Stern - Russia and its neighbors - November 10, 2009 06:46 ET
The H1N1 outbreak has led Ukrainian officials to accuse each other of inappropriate responses.
The asses of New Delhi
Jason Overdorf - India - November 5, 2009 05:41 ET
With a year to go before hosting the Commonwealth Games, Delhi targets the poor. Its donkeys, too.
Irish pols protest proposed drunk-driving limits
Conor O'Clery - Ireland - October 31, 2009 08:44 ET
The proposed 0.05 percent BAC would only cover one pint of Guinness.
In India, C-sections are in the stars
Mridu Khullar - India - October 31, 2009 06:00 ET
When's that baby due? The astrologer knows.
Child sex boom fueled by poverty
Deena Guzder - Thailand - October 29, 2009 11:24 ET
It's just another dark day in Thailand.
Storm may be over, but trouble still brews
Carlos H. Conde - Philippines - October 28, 2009 05:53 ET
An outbreak of a water-borne disease in the Philippines highlights the inability of communities to cope with the storm's aftermath.
Fake Viagra, and more, in Bangkok
Patrick Winn - Thailand - October 23, 2009 08:54 ET
Pharmo-piracy sweeps Thailand, and the rest of Southeast Asia. It's a deadly problem.
Canadian health care — it's their right
Sandro Contenta - Canada - October 21, 2009 10:19 ET
In contrast to the US, where health care is a commodity, Canada has, so far, treated it like a human right.
Need a cadaver? Head to Taiwan
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - October 19, 2009 12:12 ET
Video: With the help of a Buddhist group, Taiwan's "Silent Mentors" program has brought in the bodies for science.
The dark side of medical tourism
Jason Overdorf - India - October 16, 2009 12:13 ET
India's showcase private hospitals have made it easier for the country to forget about the poor.
A Big Mona with fries?
Mort Rosenblum - France - October 16, 2009 09:13 ET
Escoffier, Brillat-Savarin and, yes, Julia Child would turn over in their graves at the state of French food.
China: Living in the shadows
Thomas Mucha - Commerce - October 14, 2009 13:36 ET
Special report: An intimate look at China's migrant workers, plus running coverage of the country's changing economy
Swine flu causes controversy in Russia
Miriam Elder - Russia and its neighbors - October 13, 2009 11:24 ET
One official accuses the other of a "terrorist act" for reporting a possible swine flu death.
No smoking in Chile? No way.
Pascale Bonnefoy - Chile - October 13, 2009 05:32 ET
Chileans are still the heaviest smokers in the region despite a strict anti-tobacco law.
.jpg)
Americans seek stem cell treatments in India
Mridu Khullar - Health - October 12, 2009 10:54 ET
Unfettered by embryonic research restrictions, Indian scientists are offering stem cell therapies that cure the previously incurable.
Binge drinking among Spanish teens on the rise
Cristina Mateo-Yanguas - Spain - October 12, 2009 06:21 ET
In a troubled society, traditions make it easy to look the other way.
Planet Health Care
Thomas Mucha - Commerce - October 10, 2009 11:19 ET
As debate rages in Washington, the answers are out there. You just need to know where to look.
Special Report: Health care in Taiwan
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - October 9, 2009 10:17 ET
What can the U.S. learn from one of the world's best systems? Plenty.
Watch GlobalPost videos:
Reporter's Notebook
Lemurs have it tough these days. The political chaos that has engulfed Madagascar this year has spurred a flurry of illegal logging activities...Read more >
As Australian media alleged that Caster Semenya, the 800-meter world champion, is indeed a hermaphrodite, a South African magazine published pictures...Read more >
Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died Tuesday following his battle with brain cancer, was hailed in South Africa as a staunch supporter of the anti-apartheid...Read more >
Featured: Special Projects
After the Fall:
20 years since the Berlin Wall came down
Life, Death and the Taliban:
Videos and stories
Study Abroad:
Students report from the road
Living in the Shadows:
An intimate look at China's migrant workers
A World of Trouble:
The global economy in 20 hotspots
Global Blogs:
Comments:
No Comments.
Login or Register to post comments