A mosquito sits on a stick April 9, 2009. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Bug Wars: Fighting malaria

A GlobalPost special report on a deadly, and decidedly global, disease

By News Desk — GlobalPost Editors
Published: June 11, 2009 07:18 ET
Updated: June 23, 2009 14:58 ET

If you've ever traveled to a malarial region you know the sound: the ominous buzz of a blood-sucking mosquito that may, or may not, be carrying a deadly parasite.

Each year there are an estimated quarter-billion cases of malaria around the world. Close to a million people die from the disease.

But it can be prevented. So...

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.

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.

Global Blogs:

Malaria vaccines: One step forward… Several steps to go

Aman, Jaspal, Ben and Ada, Authors, "Global Health Ideas" blog - Health - November 20, 2009 16:47 ET

Obi Nnedu MD, MPH is an Infectious Disease Fellow at the University of Washington and has received a scholarship as a NIH Fogarty International Clinical Research Fellow to work in Kenya. He...

What happens when you spend too much time in Seattle

Karen Grepin, Author/Karen Grepin's Blog - Health - November 20, 2009 17:02 ET

"Even though HIV has captivated public discourse and funding, including over $5·1 billion in development assistance for health in 2007 alone, there are only rough estimates of its disease...

On-Off Fasting: Does It Work?

Diet Blog Contributor - Health - November 20, 2009 06:16 ET

A small study carried out at the University of Illinois suggests that "on-off fasting" (fasting on alternate days) may help obese people to lose weight and to lower their cholesterol levels. The...

Medical Journal Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Other Issues [Highlight...

Walter Jessen, Highlight HEALTH Network founder and editor - Health - November 19, 2009 14:46 ET

Author disclosure of financial associations with commercial entities that have an interest in the research published in medical journals is common practice. The information provided in the disclosure...

It's (European) Antibiotic Awareness Day

Super Bug - Health - November 18, 2009 09:00 ET

UK and EU readers can hug themselves with self-congratulation this morning (OK, admittedly, for you it's afternoon already): It's Antibiotic Awareness Day across the European Union, featuring a slate of public-awareness activities, public-service announcements, educational...

“extortion, theft of public funds or other corrupt conduct …”

Malaria Matters - Health - November 17, 2009 07:03 ET

… can buy a $35 million estate in Malibu, California, a fleet of luxury cars, speedboats and a private jet, according to the New York Times. What does it buy for the poor, malaria stricken people of Equatorial Guinea? “… despite a federal law and a presidential...

When Bad Things Happen to Famous People

David Loeb MD, PhD/ Author, Doctor David's Blog - Health - November 18, 2009 22:31 ET

In a press release issued earlier this week, former NBA star and actor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced that he has been diagnosed with leukemia. Specifically, he has chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)....

Crafty ways to creatively re-use leftover prescription bottles

eDrug Search - Health - November 17, 2009 01:01 ET

If you have a medication you take regularly, you’re familiar with the problem of waste created by prescription pill bottles. Some people go through several bottles a month —  and many...

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