In Papua New Guinea, 1500+ women die every year from childbirth-related causes – 80 times higher than in Australia. And these deaths are, mostly, preventable.
The landmark 1st Malaria World Congress 2018 (MWC2018) raised awareness internationally about the huge global challenges to eliminate this devastating disease. Find out more. Burnet’s malaria researchers and Congress Founder, Professor Brendan Crabb AC played a key role.
Every two minutes a child dies from malaria. Imagine the devastating impact this has on families and their communities.
Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by different species: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax,P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. Falciparum causes the majority of malaria disease globally but P. vivax is a second important cause of malaria and causes a high burden of disease in the Asia-Pacific region. A parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes causes malaria. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, then infect red blood cells, and if not promptly treated, may lead to death.
Despite a major reduction globally in malaria-related mortality rates through prevention and treatment efforts, more than 430,000 people – mainly young children – are still dying each year from this preventable disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 90 countries are impacted by malaria, many in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia’s and the global response towards eliminating malaria requires a dual approach of preventing infections and stopping malaria-related deaths.
Burnet Institute is committed to making a major contribution in efforts to eliminate malaria as a public health threat, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. We work with partners in Australia and internationally, especially in malaria-endemic regions in the
Pacific, Southeast Asia and East Africa (including Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Kenya, and Cambodia). We also collaborate with industry partners in development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Burnet’s latest discoveries and innovative approaches
Discovering new insights into how drug resistance may emerge in populations and how to better quantify and monitor its spread.
Identified new antimalarial compounds with potential for
development into drugs.
Identified immune responses that protect against malaria and new approaches for vaccine development.
Developing new low-cost diagnostic tests to guide the treatment of malaria.
Developing novel tools to enhance surveillance and tracking of malaria in populations.
In affected communities created strategies to address gaps in health services and coverage to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Drug and insecticide resistance
According to the WHO, antimalarial drug resistance is a major concern for the global effort to control malaria. P. falciparum resistance to artemisinins has been detected in four countries in Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. There is an urgent need to expand containment efforts in affected countries.
For now, ACTs remain highly effective in almost all settings, so long as the partner drug in the combination is locally effective.
Malaria Vaccine Delivery Platforms This project is looking at the development of a blood stage vaccine against the Plasmodium falciparum species of malaria.
New treatments for malaria In response to the need for new anti-malarial drugs to combat drug resistance, identifying and developing novel compounds that inhibit replication of Plasmodium parasites is required.Full details to follow
Paralysing malaria parasites By understanding how parasites gain entry to human cells we can develop drugs that block and then paralyse the parasites so they can do no more harm.
To achieve better health for vulnerable communities in Australia and internationally by accelerating the translation of research, discovery and evidence into sustainable health solutions.
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Burnet Institute (Australia) is located on the traditional land of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people and we offer our respects to the elders past and present. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land.
