Abstract
Assessing the importance of targeting the chronic Plasmodium falciparum malaria reservoir is pivotal as the world moves toward malaria eradication. Through the lens of a mathematical model, we show how, for a given malaria prevalence, the relative infectivity of chronic individuals determines what intervention tools are predicted be the most effective. Crucially, in a large part of the parameter space where elimination is theoretically possible, it can be achieved solely through improved case management. However, there are a significant number of settings where malaria elimination requires not only good vector control but also a mass drug administration campaign. Quantifying the relative infectiousness of chronic malaria across a range of epidemiological settings would provide essential information for the design of effective malaria elimination strategies. Given the difficulties obtaining this information, we also provide a set of epidemiological metrics that can be used to guide policy in the absence of such data.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 295-302 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Clinical Infectious Diseases |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 10 May 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Jul 2018 |
Keywords
- chronic infections
- malaria elimination
- Plasmodium falciparum
- relative infectivity