Malaria remains a significant global threat, causing over 240
million infections in 2022, with nearly half the world’s population
at risk.1 With World Malaria Day approaching on 25 April,
International SOS is calling on organisations to join the fight
against this potentially deadly but highly preventable disease.
This year's theme, "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a
more equitable world," underscores the urgent need for collective
action, particularly as malaria cases are on the rise.
International SOS global assistance data reports a 15% increase
in malaria-related assistance requests in 2023 compared to 2022.
Data reveals that 57% of cases were concentrated in Asia, primarily
impacting the mining industry, while 40% occurred in Africa, mainly
affecting oil and gas, mining, and NGO personnel. These figures
align with data from the World Health Organization (WHO), which
demonstrates that both the Africa region and the South-East Asia
region have the highest estimated malaria burden globally.2 The WHO
also conservatively projects 250,000 additional yearly deaths by
the 2030s due to climate change impacts on diseases including
malaria.3
Dr Irene Lai, Global Medical Director at International SOS,
comments “Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites, and
although there are very effective ways to prevent being bitten,
there are no guarantees. It is a serious illness that can be
rapidly fatal. Travellers who are from areas that don’t have
malaria, along with infants and young children, are at higher risk
of severe illness and death if they get infected. All organisations
with travellers to or operations in areas with malaria should
assess the risk and ensure they have policies and procedures in
place to mitigate that risk. This includes providing pre-travel
education and medical consultations, mosquito-bite prevention
supplies and preventive medications (chemoprophylaxis) and ensuring
access to prompt diagnosis and treatment. Through the provision of
malaria awareness programmes, bed nets and contribution to mosquito
control activities, organisations can create a healthier and more
productive environment for both their employees and the surrounding
communities.”
Dr Dave Knight, Occupational Medicine Physician and Malaria
Specialist at International SOS, comments “Malaria transmission
patterns are demonstrably shifting, with climate change as a
significant factor we must consider. It is predicted with climate
change that this risk could grow, and malaria transmission could
spread into countries previously free of malaria. Furthermore,
there are no ground-shifting technology solutions imminent over the
next few years that will allow significant mitigation of this risk
in a company workforce. We still rely on age-old interventions. At
the same time, we are also seeing growing mosquito resistance to
insecticides and the first troubling reports from Africa of
potential parasite resistance to current malaria treatment. This
will require better funding and coordination of efforts to develop
new classes of insecticide along with bringing to market new
anti-malaria medicines at reasonable cost, as well as improving
current malaria programmes. Programmes need to be scientifically
designed and governed by experts that understand these
challenges.
On a positive note, the new RTS,S vaccine is being rolled out in
high transmission areas in Africa to infants and young children. It
is not suitable for adults yet provides moderate but important
protection to very young children over the first few years of life.
It has recently been shown that new types of insecticide-treated
bed nets that combine two compounds to counter resistance are 50%
more effective at preventing malaria. The private sector should
support vaccine and bed net initiatives in communities within which
they operate where appropriate.”
International SOS outlines how
organisations can help in the fight against malaria
- Raise awareness: provide education for the workforce and
local community about the risk of malaria and prevention
measures.
- Implement an integrated malaria control programme:
review the malaria-risk to their workforce.
- Invest in prevention: provide preventive supplies such
as insect repellent and anti-malarial medicine (both prophylactic
and treatment medicine), as well as access to pre-travel medical
review for travelling employees.
- Ensure access to medical care: prompt diagnosis and
treatment is life-saving.
- Support local initiatives: partner with NGOs and
healthcare institutions working to combat malaria in the
communities where the organisation operates.
International SOS reminds travellers of
the ABCDE approach to malaria prevention
Awareness: be Aware of the risk and the symptoms.
Bite prevention: avoid being Bitten by mosquitoes.
Chemoprophylaxis: if prescribed for, use Chemoprophylaxis
(antimalarial medication) to prevent infection.
Diagnosis: immediately seek Diagnosis and treatment if a
fever develops one week or more after being in a malarial area.
Emergency: carry an Emergency Standby Treatment (EST) kit
if available and recommended (the kit contains malaria
treatment).
International SOS also provides consulting services for every
part of a company’s malaria risk mitigation programme. This
includes experienced entomology consulting, assessment and design
of vector control programmes, medical consulting to ensure proper
diagnostic and treatment pathways and data management, as well as
audit and review to ensure a programme is well managed.
International SOS also has a Malaria Awareness eLearning available
to educate employees.
Join International SOS webinar ‘Climate Change and Malaria:
Navigating the Global Health Landscape’ on 7 May, where our experts
will discuss the relationship between climate change and
malaria.
About the International SOS Group of Companies
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of
saving lives and protecting your global workforce from health and
security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health,
security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your
growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an
epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response
providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and
security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time,
actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help
protect your people, and your organisation's reputation, as well as
support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us,
organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while
empowering business resilience, continuity, and sustainability.
Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in
London & Singapore, is trusted by over 9,000 organisations.
This includes the majority of the Fortune Global 500. As well as
mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions, and
NGOs. Nearly 12,000 multi-cultural security, medical, logistics and
digital experts stand with you to provide support & assistance
from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days. Between
them, International SOS employees speak nearly 100 languages and
dialects in our Assistance Centres, Clinics, and offices.
To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips:
www.internationalsos.com
1. World Health Organization | Malaria
2. World Health Organization | Malaria in South-East Asia
3. World Health Organization (WHO) | Climate Change and
Health
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423642054/en/
Indira Illianti Group Senior Marketing and PR
Executive, International SOS
Indira.illianti@internationalsos.com