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:

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.

Is Germany's health care a good model for the US?

Paul Hockenos - Germany - October 8, 2009 20:29 ET

Analysis: One freelancer in Germany thinks the health care system there could work in America.

Ethiopia to train medics in childbirth surgeries

Hanna Ingber Win - Africa - October 8, 2009 16:41 ET

African country desperately needs more trained to assist difficult births.

Ethiopian girls flee early marriages

Hanna Ingber Win - Africa - October 8, 2009 16:39 ET

Families marry off girls before they are ready for childbirth.

Global Blogs:

Mixed Media Channels - is more better?

Malaria Matters - Health - November 6, 2009 04:46 ET

Two presentations today at the MIM 5th Pan-African Malaria Conference shared experiences with the use of mixed media channels to promote socially marketed malaria interventions as well as vouchers. Both speakers, Christopher Mshana and Hadji Mponda, are associated with the...

Combating Neglected Tropical Diseases

Global Health TV - Health - November 5, 2009 19:00 ET

Peter Hotez, President, Sabin Vaccine Institute

Remixing Public Health: Tools for Public Health Innovation

Aman, Jaspal, Ben and Ada, Authors, "Global Health Ideas" blog - Health - November 3, 2009 23:15 ET

Fantastic presentation, cross posted from Nomadologies: “I’ve put together a rather long presentation that has an introduction to social media for public health and then moves to a series of...

Antibiotic-resistant infections: millions in cost to hospitals, families, all...

Super Bug - Health - November 3, 2009 10:25 ET

Folks, I mentioned that I'm way behind in working down a stack of great articles. Here's a very good one that I missed when it came out two weeks ago and is well worth your time.A team from John H. Stroger Hospital (the new location of the iconic Cook County Hospital, public...

Healthcare amendment would delay access to “generic” versions of...

eDrug Search - Health - November 2, 2009 19:00 ET

Healthcare reform isn’t just about the public option and paying for doctor’s visits — it’s also about equal, affordable access to life-saving medications for all Americans. That’s why many...

Health 2.0 Highlights: November 1st, 2009 [Highlight HEALTH 2.0]

Walter Jessen, Highlight HEALTH Network founder and editor - Health - November 4, 2009 12:15 ET

A Clinical Infusion of Google Wave | phil baumann online Phil Baumann provides an overview on Google Wave and asks if the underlying technology offers any glimpse into improving clinical...

How pneumonia got me interested in global health

Karen Grepin, Author/Karen Grepin's Blog - Health - November 2, 2009 15:45 ET

I knew from an early age that I was interested in health issues but I grew up in Canada where the concept of liberal arts education really did not exist. Upon graduation from high school students...

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