STAT August 1, 2024
Malaria is one of our most ancient foes — and one of the wiliest.
Caused by parasites that certain mosquitoes spread through their bites, malaria overwhelms us, establishing an infection before we can put up a fight. It can go on to destroy red blood cells, batter organs, and even damage the brain.
There are untold millions of cases, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people die from the condition — some 80% of whom are children under 5. For decades, pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers have struggled to devise vaccines that could confer protection, fueling doubts whether such a product was even possible.
And yet, scientists have now succeeded. Twice over.
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