The recent case series of malaria deaths in Canada illustrates the need for heightened awareness of tropical diseases by Canadian physicians.1 I was recently involved in caring for a patient who died of malaria shortly after returning from Kenya. Unfortunately, the patient had not taken antimalarial prophylaxis.
While I was in Africa I had the opportunity to see the use of 2 powerful antimalarial agents, dihydroartemisinin and β-artemeter. Studies have shown that these drugs are highly effective plasmodicides, even in multidrug-resistant malaria. The World Health Organization has listed these agents on their essential drug list in recognition of their activity against malaria. Is there any indication that they will be available in Canada on an “emergency release” basis in the near future?
Signature
Russell D. MacDonald
Assistant Professor Division of Emergency Medicine Faculty of Medicine University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Man.
Reference
- 1.Kain KC, MacPherson DW, Kelton T, Keystone JS, Mendelson J, MacLean JD. Malaria deaths in visitors to Canada and in Canadian travellers: a case series. CMAJ 2001;164(5):654-9. [PMC free article] [PubMed]