Burundi: Half of Burundi's population afflicted by malaria in 2010

Bujumbura, Burundi - Over 4.2 million people suffered from malaria in various degrees during 2010, representing half of the country's population, according to Minister of public health and the fight against AIDS, Ms. Sabine Ntakarutimana. Malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease, appears to be the leading cause of hospitalization and death in the country, the minister said at the official launch of a massive operation to distribute free mosquito nets.

More than half of the Burundian population of 8.1 million will receive the treated mosquito nets in the coming days as part of efforts to prevent the disease.

The operation will initially cover 8 of the 17 provinces targeted for the endemic nature of malaria, according to Ms. Ntakarutimana.

The Burundian government has continued to give free antimalarial treatments based on artesunate and modiaquine, currently considered as the most effective medicines in treating the disease.

Previous large-scale distribution of mosquito nets seemed to have failed to stem the spread of the disease, due to misuse or diversion by the beneficiaries, who use it for making clothes, fishing nets and to build chicken coops.