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April 25 is World Malaria Day, a day to recognize the global effort to control a disease that threatens nearly half of the world’s population. In 2000, an estimated 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and more than 1 million people died from the disease, according to the World Health Organization. By 2010, there were approximately 216 million malaria cases and 655,000 deaths. Although these numbers reflect significant progress, the burden of malaria remains far too high.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, is the lead U.S. government agency supporting malaria research, including clinical studies to evaluate new drugs and vaccines. These studies usually take place in Africa and other regions hardest hit by the malaria epidemic. However, NIAID has recently begun enrolling participants in a malaria clinical trial in the United States.

The study, called VRC 312, takes place in Bethesda, MD, and is testing the safety and effectiveness of an experimental malaria vaccine, known as PfSPZ, in healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years old. The study goal is to obtain critical information that may advance the development of the vaccine. For study participants, it’s an opportunity to contribute locally to the global fight against malaria.

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Content provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­.