Possible Cure for Malaria

  It is a well-known fact that malaria is one of the top causes of death in Africa. At the moment, there is no definite, one-dose cure for the fatal disease. "According to the WHO, about 3.3 billion people - around half the world's population - are at risk of contracting malaria." Due to this alarming statistic, the news of a possible cure is raising hopes for many sub-Saharan Africans.

   The single-dose cure molecule discovered by researchers is expected to hopefully cure the disease and prevent person-to-person transmission. “The molecule, MMV390048, was discovered during collaborative research by the Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3-D) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, and Geneva-based Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).” The molecule was tested on malaria-infected mice that after one dose were completely cured.

   The molecule is due to enter the clinical trials stage in late 2013, due to the fact that there is still a lot more research to be done before it can be introduced to humans. Research began in 2009 when the molecule was picked as one of the most promising out of the 6 million that were tested. “More than 90% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa, and the disease is responsible for 24% of child death on the continent.”

   Hopefully this recent discovery will lead to the eventual end of this disease.

Source: (http://www.scidev.net/en/sub-suharan-africa/news/molecule-cures-malaria-in-mice-.html)