Concerns Rise Over Malaria Drug Resistance in Africa

Researchers in Uganda have found evidence of drug resistance in children with severe malaria, raising concerns about the effectiveness of artemisinin, a key treatment. The study, published in JAMA, indicates that some children are experiencing delayed parasite clearance, suggesting partial resistance. This is the first documented case of such resistance in African children with severe malaria, a condition that poses a high risk of death. The findings highlight the urgent need for new treatments and underscore the importance of malaria vaccines in combating the disease.