Malaria
By combining efforts on biological, human and societal aspects of the disease, ITM hopes to control and ultimately eliminate malaria in the long term.
Malaria is preventable and curable.
Malaria is an infectious disease that occurs when parasites enter the bloodstream through the bite of the malaria mosquito. An infection often results in shivers, fever, muscle aches and headaches. However, the risk of fatality increases if the disease remains untreated. Malaria is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths annually. Good preventive and therapeutic measures can stem this high number.
Researchers and scientists of ITM focus on multidisciplinary and innovative research to fight malaria. They study both malaria parasites and mosquitoes in the lab and their own environment. In addition, scientists try to improve effectiveness of disease control by focusing on new diagnostic rapid tests and the evaluation of treatment regimens. They also test new mosquito repellents.
Impact stories
Multidisciplinary contribution to the fight against malaria
Malaria is the most infamous tropical disease, which still claims more than half a million victims every year. The mosquito that transmits the parasitic disease is therefore the deadliest animal on Earth.Research themes
-
Bacteria have found various ways to develop resistance (AMR), of which resistance to antibiotics is a problem reaching across many different domains. -
Tireless effort is crucial to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, in the world. For more than a century, ITM has been playing its part.
-
Arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika are urgent public health threats in tropical and subtropical areas.
-
Neglected (tropical) diseases are high on the agenda. For many years, ITM has been actively involved in research on NTDs, in particular on leishmaniasis, leprosy and sleeping sickness.
-
Before vaccines or drugs can be used in the general population, their safety and effectiveness are thoroughly investigated in clinical trials.
-
The research of ITM on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS is of inestimable value.
-
For more than 10 years, ITM has been actively monitoring exotic mosquitoes in Belgium.
-
ITM is closely monitoring the development of the mpox disease, both in Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
-
We help improve sexual and reproductive health in the world by combining scientific research, advanced education, policy support and capacity-strengthening initiatives.
-
ITM’s research on tuberculosis (TB) is world-renowned. Its shorter combination treatment for resistant tuberculosis was a worldwide breakthrough. Our researchers study new diagnostics and case detection techniques, with the largest public collection of TB strains in the world at their disposal.
-
EcoHealth is an interdepartmental group that unites researchers from different backgrounds and disciplines. We all recognise the need for comprehensive, systemic approaches to address current health challenges that emerge at the interface between humans, animals and their broader natural, social and political environments.
-
Since the beginning, ITM has been providing medical services to people returning ill from overseas. As such, ITM accumulated profound knowledge of tropical diseases, as well as STIs and HIV.
-
The right to health implies that everybody, everywhere should have access to the needed essential health products, included but not limited to diagnostics, vaccines and medicines.
-
Clinical, epidemiological and diagnostics studies, secondary analyses of health data and BioSamples, behavioural studies or any other studies that involve the participation of human individuals, should yield social value and be scientifically justified and ethically sound.
-
In a highly interconnected world, ITM continues to innovate and develop its outbreak research capacity.
-
ITM has decades of experience fighting infectious diseases and curbing epidemics. We are fully committed to helping stop the COVID-19 pandemic that is threatening the world. To this end, we work together with partners at home and abroad.
-
Ebola is a deadly disease that was co-discovered in 1976 by researchers of the institute. ITM has been closely monitoring subsequent outbreaks on the African continent, as well as contributing to new developments in diagnostics and treatment.
