Help Prevent the Spread of Malaria in Myanmar

You can help save lives in Myanmar. Cyclone Nargis killed over 22,000 people 100,000 people, but thousands more are at risk from malaria. You can help by making a donation to His Nets, a non-profit organization that provides insecticide-treated bed nets to families all over the world. The bed nets provide a barrier to mosquitoes, and help prevent the spread of malaria. It costs only $6.00 to provide a bed net to a family. More details below the fold.

On Saturday 3 May 2008, Cyclone Nargis battered Myanmar, killing over 22,000 people, according to the U.N. over 100,000 people, according to U.S. diplomats. From the Associated Press:

“Basically the entire lower delta region is under water,” said Richard Horsey, Bangkok-based spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid.

“Teams are talking about bodies floating around in the water,” he said. This is “a major, major disaster we’re dealing with.”

The devastation may get even worse. The standing water left by the cyclone will enlarge the mosquito population, putting thousands at risk of malaria. Malaria is rare in the United States, causing only eight deaths per year. But worldwide, between 300 and 500 million people are infected, and over one million will die–mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa. Pregnant women are also susceptible, and when infected tend to give birth to underweight babies who in turn have a lowered chance of survival. (Follow this link for facts about malaria, from the Centers for Disease Control.)

Thousands more people in Myanmar will die under a malaria outbreak. But this disease is preventable. Because malaria is carried by mosquitoes, bed nets are a simple, inexpensive method of controlling the spread of the disease and reducing its mortality rate. From the CDC:

Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are a form of personal protection that has repeatedly been shown to reduce severe disease and mortality due to malaria in endemic regions. In community-wide trials in several African settings, ITNs have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality by about 20%.

Untreated bed nets form a protective barrier around persons using them. However, mosquitoes can feed on people through the nets, and nets with even a few small holes provide little, if any, protection. The application of a residual insecticide greatly enhances the protective efficacy of bed nets. The insecticides used for treatment kill mosquitoes and other insects. The insecticides also have repellent properties that reduce the number of mosquitoes that enter the house and attempt to feed. In addition, if high community coverage is achieved, the numbers and longevity of mosquitoes will be reduced. When this happens, all members of the community are protected, regardless of bed net ownership. To achieve such effects, high community coverage is required, as for indoor residual spray. (Follow this link for more information.)

The bed nets provided by His Nets are treated with insecticide, and will last several years. Visit His Nets to make a donation with your credit card or debit card. It only costs $6.00 to provide a family with a bed net. The donation process is fast and simple, and you’ll feel better knowing you played a small role in helping saving someone’s life.

Follow this link for more support options.

HT: MainstreamBaptist.