Resurgence of Malaria in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, An Epidemic of Drug-Resistant Parasites

The recent spread of malaria in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania has been blamed on climatic changes experienced during the 20^th century. Here we suggest that recent changes in the pattern of malaria does not result so much from these changes as from changes in the use and efficacy of antimalarial drugs. The recent resurgence of malaria in this area corresponds with the rapid evolution of parasite strains resistant to chloroquine. The ineffectiveness of anti-malarial drugs may have left the people of the Usambaras at the same high risk of infection as they were before the introduction of modern medicine.