Thousands at risk as malaria epidemic looms

Tens of thousands of lives are at risk because of a lack of drugs needed to fight a malaria epidemic threatening Ethiopia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned. Dr David Nabarro, WHO global emergency head, said it was vital that drugs were shipped into the country immediately if thousands of deaths were to be avoided. “We have to get more medicines into Ethiopia fast,” Dr Nabarro told journalists on Friday at a press briefing to address the looming epidemic. The warning comes just days after the ministry of health appealed for international support to avert the danger – which experts say could break out in a matter of weeks. “It looks as though there is going to be a major epidemic of malaria building up over the next few weeks and months,” Dr Nabarro said. “This could, if we are not able to cope with it effectively, lead to tens of thousands of deaths,” he warned – predicting that the death toll could be twice as high as normal. It is estimated that malaria kills 100,000 people each year in Ethiopia – making it the third biggest killer. It also emerged that mosquitoes are gradually being found at higher altitudes in areas once though malaria-free. “These won’t be deaths of particular sections of society, this will affect whole communities – adults and children,” Dr Nabarro added. He said it was now vital to wipe out breeding areas of mosquitoes by reducing ponds and spraying homes with insecticides, and assistance would be required. Dr Komla Siamevi, who heads WHO’s emergency wing for Africa, said the country also needed to take “crucial action” to stave off further crisis. He said there must be greater immunisation campaigns for children in the country, and improved water and sanitation. The WHO warned that to boost health and provide the population with a minimum basic health system, spending levels must increase at least ten-fold.