Malaria Cases, Deaths Decreasing in Solomon Islands Capital

The number of malaria cases and deaths associated with the disease in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara decreased in 2005 compared with previous years, according to data from the Honiara Vector Borne Disease Control Program, the Solomon Star reports. HVBDCP in 2005 recorded 233.1 malaria cases per 1,000 people, compared with 253.1 cases per 1,000 people in 2004. In addition, there were no reported cases of malaria deaths in 2005, compared with one recorded death in 2004 and 16 in 2003, according to Bernard Bakote'e, director of the Solomon Islands Malaria Training and Research Institute. HVBDCP attributed the decline in malaria cases to increased malaria control efforts -- including the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, ITN retreatment, mosquito larvae monitoring and wide-scale blood surveys -- conducted in the capital and the islands' other provinces. SIMTRI will continue its malaria control activities with a three-year, $1.1 million grant from the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and this year plans to ramp up malaria education campaigns (Mamu, Solomon Star, 2/14).