Three decades of effective eradication programmes have rid the United Arab Emirates (uae) of the scourge of malaria -- the country has had no indigenous cases since 1997. Yet the disease keeps rearing its head as it is 'imported' by immigrants from Asian and African countries. According to Abdelaziz Mohammed Abdalla, head of the malaria control section at the department of preventive medicine, "Last year there were only 35 cases of malaria. But in each of these, the disease was contracted abroad." Two types of malaria are prevalent in uae: plasmodium falciparum and plasmodium vivax. "While falciparum comes from India, Sudan and Yemen, vivax is transmitted through Pakistan," reveals Abdalla. "The main cause of imported malaria in areas which are not endemic is the increasing human migration," he adds.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.