Bangladesh in the era of malaria elimination

Trends Parasitol. 2023 Sep;39(9):760-773. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.06.009. Epub 2023 Jul 25.

Abstract

Bangladesh has dramatically reduced malaria by 93% from 2008 to 2020. The strategy has been district-wise, phased elimination; however, the last districts targeted for elimination include remote, forested regions which present several challenges for prevention, detection, and treatment of malaria. These districts border Myanmar which harbors Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites resistant to artemisinins, key drugs used in artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) that have been vital for control programs. Challenges in monitoring emergence of artemisinin resistance (AR), tracking parasite reservoirs, changes in vector behavior and responses to insecticides, as well as other environmental and host factors (including the migration of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals; FDMNs) may pose added hazards in the final phase of eliminating malaria in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee; Chittagong Hill Tracts; National Malaria Elimination Program; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials* / pharmacology
  • Antimalarials* / therapeutic use
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Drug Resistance
  • Humans
  • Malaria* / drug therapy
  • Malaria* / parasitology
  • Malaria* / prevention & control
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / parasitology
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / prevention & control
  • Plasmodium falciparum

Substances

  • artemisinin
  • Antimalarials