Malaria

A lack of simple, reliable biomarkers for bacterial infections – a major cause of infant mortality – leads to frequent misdiagnosis of malaria, the incorrect prescription of antibiotics and eventually reduced drug effectiveness.  This project’s rapid test for bedside diagnosis of bacterial illness will help improve misdiagnosis of non-malarial fevers.

This project will empower indigenous people in Sayaxche, Guatemala with knowledge and tools to use a modified "ovitrap" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovitrap) that effectively destroys mosquito eggs, thereby reducing malaria, dengue fever and other diseases. In a pilot study last year in Mexico that used only 50 modified ovitraps, more than 350,000 mosquito eggs were destroyed during one year, representing a reduction of 70–80% of mosquito eggs compared to unmodified traps.

Over 6 000 diseases lack adequate treatments. In Africa, for example, malaria kills a child every minute. We re-purpose approved drugs for neglected diseases, since most drugs have multiple medical effects (such as the use of aspirin for heart disease as well as headaches). Repurposing reduces development time and cost, and makes treatments accessible to the developing world. Follow Chematria on Twitter @Chematria"

In Tanzania, the Africa Technical Research Institute will lead the design and manufacture of attractive, affordable insecticide-treated clothing. Treated fashions attract consumers while repelling vectors. Personal protection as clothing or accessories can be used indoors, outdoors, day or night, to reduce vector transmission. Affordable designs create consistent demand for locally manufactured styles.

In Tanzania, the Ifakara Health Institute will develop anti-mosquito footwear material that slowly releases repellents from the friction of walking.  A key advantage: no compliance or change in habits required. Mosquitoes mostly bite people on their feet and ankles. We propose the use of footwear fitted with repellent-impregnated material,to deter blood-seeking mosquitoes from people during the times when and where existing control measures are ineffective.

A simple way to lure, trap and kill malarial mosquitos with a deadly fruit meal in a device easy to make at home from plastic drink bottles.  Manufacture of the traps creates a potential village income opportunity.

This innovative fabric mosquito trap fitted into a window works like a lobster trap: the insect enters easily through a funnel but cannot escape, offering a way to control malaria with an environmentally-friendly technology that can be easily and broadly manufactured.

Endemic countries need practical ways to evaluate malaria interventions. I will use cheap near infrared spectrometry to identify important vectors and tell if they are old enough to transmit disease, a potentially easy way to monitor vector control.

The majority of all 243 million reported cases of malaria worldwide occur in children under five in Africa. While effective treatment has lowered the mortality rate, current malaria interventions are unlikely to halt the actual transmission of the disease, showing the need for supplementary intervention measures. This project aims to introduce biolarvicides in rice farming practices in rural Tanzania, as an innovative approach in malaria control.

This project will promote placement of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) around houses as a way to drive off mosquitos and reduce malaria.