Widespread spraying with insecticides and draining of swamps did bring the mosquito population under control but resistance to the insecticides has developed and, in many countries, economic and political factors have led to abandonment of eradication campaigns.
We can consider that all Africa, much of Asia and parts of the Pacific and Latin America are affected.
In Australia, more than 600 cases a year are now reported and most of these have been acquired in the Pacific area.
Where malaria is endemic (occurring widely throughout the community) it leads to great loss of life and chronic infection saps the strength of the population.
Australians who now travel widely in Papua New Guinea and South-East Asia may acquire the infection abroad and only show symptoms on their return.
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