Tackling Malaria in Haiti: The Race to Elimination

This week, a group of us from the CDC Foundation and CDC traveled to Haiti and the Dominican Republic to capture stories and photos to emphasize the life-threatening disease of malaria and its effects on these countries, which make up the island of Hispaniola. We are also working to provide insights into a concerted effort to eliminate malaria by 2020 in both countries—an accomplishment that will create a malaria-free zone across the Caribbean. 

While malaria can be deadly, it also is preventable and treatable, and eliminating malaria on Hispaniola, located only 600 miles from the tip of Florida, is achievable over the five-year horizon.

Over the coming months, you’ll hear more about an effort, called Malaria Zero, which includes an alliance of nine partners, each bringing their specific expertise and unique talents to accelerate the drive toward elimination. As I write this blog, this partnership is working on the customized plan to achieve this goal. At a high level the plan will include five general aspects: improving surveillance to find all malaria infections; delivering services at the community level; developing community awareness campaigns; testing, diagnosing and treating all cases; and treating high-risk populations to prevent onward transmission. 

Initial funding for Malaria Zero is being provided through a $29.9 million grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. To fully fund all the activities that will be required to achieve the goal of malaria elimination on Hispaniola by 2020, another $80–$100 million will be required.

Look for a dedicated website for Malaria Zero very soon, as well as articles on various aspects of the consequences of malaria and the plan to eliminate malaria.

To learn more about Malaria Zero and how you can help support this important effort, go to the Malaria Zero page on the CDC Foundation’s website. 

Photos: © David Snyder/CDC Foundation