Washington, DC, November 15, 2024 (PAHO)- The Northern Huetar Region of Costa Rica was today awarded with the 2024 Malaria Champions prize, an initiative that recognizes evidence-based efforts in malaria control and elimination in the Americas.
The announcement was made during an event organized by PAHO as part of Malaria Day in the Americas. During the event, the community and public health authorities of Huetar were recognized for reducing malaria and for their contributions in improving access to diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
In a recorded message on the occasion of Malaria Day, celebrated on November 6, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said, “Health services in endemic areas and affected communities can be part of the solution through collective action and partnerships between the State and main stakeholders to make malaria treatment available to the population without barriers”.
Costa Rica won the award in recognition of the reduction in autochthonous cases in the Northern Huetar Region in recent years. Cases decreased from 378 in 2022 to 128 in 2023 and, as of beginning of October 2024, only eight cases were reported, representing significant progress towards the elimination of autochthonous malaria transmission.
This achievement is due to the implementation of several strategies, including passive surveillance in health services, which involves the early identification of malaria cases through rapid detection tests (RDTs); active participation of volunteer collaborators; and active and passive surveillance in farms and mining areas, ensuring immediate treatment of cases in the workplace. These measures were complemented by a mass drug administration campaign in selected communities.
The Malaria Champions is a collaborative effort between PAHO, the United Nations Foundation, the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Communication Programs, the Florida International University and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Health. Since 2009, over 40 projects across the region have been recognized with this award.
Malaria is an acute febrile disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache and chills, which may be mild. If left untreated, malaria can progress to severe disease and even death.
To reduce malaria transmission, PAHO calls on countries to intensify efforts to eliminate malaria in the Americas and expand access to malaria diagnosis and treatment.
Malaria is among the more than 30 diseases and related conditions targeted for elimination by 2030 as part of the PAHO Elimination Initiative of Communicable Diseases.
