"On Hispaniola, home to the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, malaria is caused by a single mosquito-borne parasite, Plasmodium falciparum" (Joseph). Hispaniola remains as "the last island in the Caribbean where the disease occurs regularly." Researchers from Tulane University claim that "success in eliminating malaria from Hispaniola would demonstrate that it is possible to defeat malaria in other regions of the world where it remains a dire threat. There is also evidence in Haiti that the parasite is becoming resistant to chloroquine, an inexpensive treatment for the disease. Eliminating malaria now would save these impoverished nations from having to resort to more expensive drug therapies."
In order to banish malaria from Hispanola, the countries must adopt more intensive mosquito-control methods. Every suspected malaria case should be diagnosed properly and treated.
"Success will require the 'unwavering political will' of both governments on the island, and will 'set a precedent for health diplomacy'"(Tulane).
Sources:
Joseph Keating, Donald J Krogstad, Thomas P Eisele. Malaria elimination on Hispaniola. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2010; 10 (5): 291-293 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70075-X
Tulane University (2010, April 28). Researchers call for eliminating malaria in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/04/100428121457.htm
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