random rants and references

Oxford University researchers have some uncovered some bad News: Malaria drastically underestimated . They estimate that world figures for this disease have been underestimated by half or more; and that, in 2002, there were over half a billion cases. They are getting a better handle on where cases are most likely to help allocate resources. They note that drugs " are expensive and difficult to produce".

The call seems to be for more resources to buy effective drugs and insecticide-treated bednets. All good, but no mention of easing up on the world-wide paranoia against the controlled use of DDT, which remains the cheapest and most effective method of reducing both malaria and dengue fever by eliminating mosquito breeding areas as well as by treating homes. Not to mention the fact that most drug treatments are relatively ineffective as well as expensive and that the disease seems to adapt to them.

This particular form of political/environmental correctness has been killing people for 30 years and the problem appears to be considerably worse than realized. There is an abundance of evidence that proves the effectiveness of DDT and of safe methods to employ it; and a substantial paucity of clinical evidence showing DDT causing death or disease to humans. Given the scale of the disease, it seems past time to do a serious risk-benefit analysis and change policies to allow an effective remedy to save lives.